GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The streets of Mexico’s western tech hub remain scarred today by a weekend of “terrifying” cartel violence. Charred vehicle carcasses and scorched asphalt serve as grim reminders of a mass rampage orchestrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) following the death of its notorious leader, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera.
The violence, which saw scores of vehicles set ablaze and convenience stores ransacked, was a calculated display of strength by the CJNG. The message was clear: despite the loss of their chief, the organization maintains the power to paralyze the nation’s second-largest city.
A City in Limbo
While President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted during a Monday press conference that “peace and tranquility” have returned, the atmosphere on the ground tells a different story.
- Closed Shutters: Most small businesses and schools remained closed as residents stayed indoors.
- Heavy Patrols: Convoys of National Guard and police circulate through the city, though residents say the presence adds to their unease rather than alleviating it.
- Empty Streets: Despite government assurances, the usual bustle of Jalisco state has been replaced by a cautious silence.
“It was a strange and difficult day everybody was scared,” says Anwar Montoya, owner of the Severo café. Montoya was one of the few to open his doors, hoping to provide a “secure area” for his community. “Some are afraid about what might still happen.”
The “Kingpin Strategy” Under Fire
The recent explosion of violence has reignited a long-standing debate over Mexico’s “kingpin strategy”—the practice of targeting high-ranking cartel leaders.
Mariana Casillas, a left-wing parliamentary deputy, argues that this approach is failing. “This is not a new scenario,” Casillas told reporters. “Only on this occasion, because it involved the killing of a top capo, the violence exploded in a much more potent fashion.”
Deborah Bonello, managing editor of the InSight Crime think tank, warns that removing a leader like “El Mencho” often creates a power vacuum. “You’ll see these squabbles for power in different parts of the country,” Bonello said. “When you take out a major leader, there’s a detonation of a struggle to take control.”
World Cup Concerns Loom
The timing of the chaos is particularly sensitive as Guadalajara prepares to host thousands of international fans for the FIFA World Cup this June. The city’s main stadium is set to host high-profile matches, including a highly anticipated lineup between Spain and Uruguay.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated he is “very reassured” and promised a “spectacular” tournament, locals are skeptical.
“I don’t think this is a safe place for the World Cup,” Montoya admitted.
Deputy Casillas was even more blunt, noting that the city is currently facing “very painful crises,” including the surge in violence and the ongoing tragedy of the disappeared. “The people here don’t want the World Cup,” she said. “They want security, they want clean water, and they want their disappeared relatives back.”
As the state prepares for more than 60 funerals for both cartel members and National Guard troops, the government continues to maintain that “all guarantees” are in place for the safety of both citizens and tourists.
