Schools shut, troops on streets: Mexico on alert after ‘El Mencho’ killing | Drugs News
Mexico Deploys 10,000 Soldiers Following Killing of Drug Lord
Mexico remains on high alert after a series of violent reprisals following the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the nation’s most wanted drug cartel leader. The government has deployed approximately 10,000 soldiers to 20 of the country’s 32 states in response to the unrest.
El Mencho was killed in a military operation conducted about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Guadalajara city on Sunday. His death triggered significant violence, leading to at least 74 fatalities, including 25 members of the National Guard.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and the stronghold of Oseguera’s Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), saw the deployment of at least 2,000 soldiers. Schools in Guadalajara and other cities were closed on Monday. Although public transport resumed in a limited capacity, ridership was low as residents remained cautious.
Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed the casualty figures linked to Oseguera’s death and the subsequent violence. He highlighted the rapid escalation of conflicts attributed to CJNG members, who retaliated against law enforcement by setting vehicles ablaze and blocking roads across several states.
An unsettling quiet has settled over parts of the country, according to Al Jazeera’s John Holman, reporting from Mexico City. Businesses remain closed, and the debris left from CJNG’s disruptive actions has begun to clear.
In a contrasting statement, President Claudia Sheinbaum asserted that peace has returned to Mexico, claiming that “we woke up without any roadblocks, and all activity has been restored.”
The White House confirmed U.S. support through intelligence sharing for the operation that led to Oseguera’s death and praised Mexican forces for their actions. President Sheinbaum emphasized that while the U.S. did not participate in the military operation, information was exchanged, allowing Mexican forces to execute their strategy independently.
El Mencho’s demise raises concerns among experts about a potential power vacuum within CJNG, which could lead to further violence as various factions compete for control. Oseguera was known for his brutal methods, reminiscent of notorious drug lords Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada of the rival Sinaloa Cartel.
The unfolding developments highlight the ongoing challenges Mexico faces in combating organized crime and maintaining security amidst shifting power dynamics within criminal organizations.
