After Mexico’s most-wanted cartel boss, Nemsio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, was killed Sunday during a US intelligence-aided Mexican military raid in Tapalpa, where Oseguera was targeted, chaos has run rampant through the streets. The death of the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel sent shock waves through the communities, leaving many to fear for their lives.
El Mencho’s Killing Leads to Anarchy
Cartel violence is not unheard of in Mexico, but the destruction following the killing of “El Mencho” comes during a sensitive time for the country, according to a security expert. “One thing (that) has changed, is that we do feel a more heavy cartel presence in the Puerto Vallartas, the Cancuns, the Playa del Carmens. Those tourist resorts,” Chris Dalby, a senior analyst for Dyami Security Intelligence, told CNN.
“That criminality is not targeting tourists directly. Most of the time it’s targeting the infrastructure that generates money: The hotels, the restaurants, the businesses that are paying extortion fees to these cartels.”
While the Jalisco cartel has been present in Puerto Vallarta for multiple years, the response to the death of “El Mencho” comes at a sensitive time, considering “Claudia Sheinbaum is in the first year of her administration,” and “The World Cup is only a few months away and is going to have games played in Guadalajara,” Dalby said.
“I completely understand anyone who had tickets for those games who decides not to go, when four months before the game, they see the city on fire.”
Tourists Stranded in Mexico
Many feel uneasy about the chaos as the Jalisco cartel is swarming hotels, tourist sites, and airports, torching buses and businesses, killing anyone in their path. Dozens have been reported dead since the beginning of their reign of terror. However, President Claudia Sheinbaum assures her citizens that “peace, security, and normalcy” are being restored. The “most important thing right now is to guarantee peace and security for the entire population,” she added.
As travel stalled and shelter-in-place warnings were issued, it put many in the country, especially tourists, on edge as fear of not making it home loomed over them. The US State Department told American nationals to follow the shelter-in-place warnings and they opened a 24/7 crisis hotline for US citizens. They fielded hundreds of calls after airlines began suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta.
If you are stuck, the US State Department advises those individuals to seek shelter and avoid unnecessary movements and any areas around law enforcement activity, especially crowds. They urge you to be aware of your surroundings and monitor the media for updates on the situation. Most importantly, remain calm and keep your loved ones informed about your situation.
US-Aided Military Raid
Among those who died during the cartel rampage were twenty-five members of Mexico’s National Guard. During the previous military operation where “El Mencho” was killed, eight fellow members of the cartel also died. Reports say the investigation into “El Mencho’s” network led to a key witness, who was a “trusted man” of one of his lovers, who had access to his hideout and allowed authorities in.
The US aided Mexican authorities in their operation to “dismantle” Oseguera’s information networks by providing intelligence support. Following the cartel’s reaction to the operation, 2,500 military troops had to be deployed to Jalisco and neighboring states to defuse the fatal situation.
However, the Mexican Embassy in Washington called the military operation “a massive strategic win,” after the cartel boss “El Mencho” was killed along with many other members. Despite the violent crime that followed as a direct result, and President Claudia Sherinbaum of Mexico campaigning that the war against drug cartels was not an option, the embassy takes it as a success.
