Mexico violence after El Mencho killing: mexico unrest spreads across states

mexico has deployed thousands of soldiers and seen a wave of coordinated attacks after the capture and death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. The operation and its aftermath have left dozens dead, disrupted flights and raised concerns about wider instability.

Mexico deployment and casualties

Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an extra 2, 500 soldiers were sent to western Mexico on Monday, bringing the total to about 9, 500 troops deployed overall since Sunday. At least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard have died in Jalisco state since the violence erupted, the country's security minister said. Another account in the unfolding events said at least 25 National Guard officers were killed inside 24 hours.

The defence ministry said three members of the Mexican military were injured in the operation. At least six of El Mencho's security guards were killed during the capture operation. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office, and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organisation had been killed in the unrest since his death.

El Mencho capture and death

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as "El Mencho", was captured by Mexican special forces in Jalisco state and was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos deployed to capture him. He was shot during an attempt to capture him in Tapalpa and died while the military was transporting him from the town of Tapalpa to the capital, Mexico City. Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla said information that led to his initial capture stemmed from a romantic partner he was meeting.

Attacks, roadblocks and arson

As news of El Mencho's death spread, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launched attacks in many towns and cities where the CJNG is active. In some towns they blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails onto the tarmac; in others they commandeered buses and other vehicles then torched them in the middle of the road. Images show charred wreckage of buses that appear to have been set on fire in Jalisco state on Sunday, and smoke billowing from burning buses in Puerto Vallarta on the same day.

Dozens of banks and local businesses have been damaged after they were set alight by cartel members. Authorities said the road blocks had been cleared by Monday morning.

Mexico airports and flights

The president said flights from Puerto Vallarta, where there was significant violence on Sunday, were expected to resume today or tomorrow. Aeromexico announced that flights to and from airports in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic would gradually resume from today. A major international carrier also said it would be operating flights to Mexico from Frankfurt and Munich today. Flight tracking services showed many aeroplanes returning to their departure destinations, and one country cancelled flights to the Puerto Vallarta airport.

Authorities and foreign officials warned residents and travellers: Jalisco residents were told to stay indoors and some governments urged their citizens to shelter inside. The US State Department opened a 24/7 crisis hotline and called on Americans to shelter in parts of the country, including Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta.

Scale of the cartel and wider implications

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of Mexico's most feared criminal organisations; its leader had been the country's most wanted man. The CJNG is estimated to be worth more than £10bn and to have tens of thousands of members. It has been held responsible for a series of massacres, kidnappings and killings of politicians since its formation in 2009. Some cartel figures retain a level of popularity within local communities by financing local infrastructure and facilities.

Experts have warned that the power vacuum created by El Mencho's killing could lead to instability as contenders vie to replace him. Javier Eskauriatza, assistant professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham, said: "When you push down on the cartels you do get pushback - the danger is that it can be very difficult to manage a security situation that spirals out of control. " He added: "In general the cartels have an economic interest in making sure the World Cup is peaceful. Yes they pay off politicians and local police forces, but they also buy restaurants and own hotels. It is useful for them if Brits, Americans, and others go to Mexico, spend their money and have a good time. " He also said: "The response by the CJNG is, in a way, required by the rules of the game - if you have your leader nabbed, you have to respond, otherwise you look weak" and "They are not idiots - they know that social media will film and amplify these videos for them and and they have made sure the response looks national. "

World Cup hosting at risk

Violence began in central-western Jalisco state, where a code red security situation has been declared, and spread to at least a dozen more regions. Videos posted online show gunmen patrolling streets and smoke billowing over cities. Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco and home to more than a million people, is scheduled to host four matches at this summer's Fifa World Cup; Mexico City is scheduled to host five matches and Monterrey four. Observers have raised concerns that the unrest could complicate Mexico's role as a co-host of the tournament.

A CJNG member said the violence was in "revenge" for their leader's death. Federal police have been pictured guarding the security secretary's building as authorities work to restore order.

President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the army's operation that led to El Mencho's death and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country. "There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of co-ordination, " Sheinbaum said.