Mexico takes precautions as cartel members act in retaliation to Mexican forces killing a cartel leader. On Sunday February 22, notorious leader of The New Generation Cartel in Jalisco, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was arrested in Tapalpa, Mexico. The White House said that they provided the Mexican Government with information. NBC News says the authorities stated that “More than 70 people died in the attempt to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and its aftermath.” After a firefight between the cartel and the Mexican government, “El Mencho” was captured with two of his bodyguards and died from gunshot wounds on the way to Mexico City from his hideout in Tapalpa. 9 other cartel members were killed in the shootout.
History of Mexican Cartels
Drug cartels have been a huge problem in Mexico for a long time. Cartels now started forming in the 1980s after the Guadalajara Cartel fell. Once that group broke, smaller cartels formed such as the Sinaloa Cartel. These groups mainly focus on trafficking drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Violence between the government and the cartels have increased since 2006 when the former Mexican President Felipe Calderón tried to overthrow the groups, which was known as the Mexican Drug War. Since that time, the military and police have been trying to stop the cartel’s organizations. However, the cartel’s power and advantages have been continuously increasing, fighting the government for control of territories.
The most powerful group to make all of this is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho.” This cartel grew quickly and expanded in western Mexico. It involves drug trafficking, illegal weapons trading, and involvement without other criminal groups. These types of cartels have expanded upon drug trafficking and have other ways of influence. Cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel have started smuggling drugs into the United States, Europe, and other countries around the world. Along with drug trafficking, these cartels make money through human trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion.
The major reason these cartels are able to maintain control is because they control territories and communities. In areas of Mexico, cartels influence businesses, challenge the government, and intimidate the citizens. This allows them to protect their money, operations, and routes, making it difficult for the law enforcement to weaken their control.
Terrified Tourists and Locals
Uncertainty arose afterwards as tourists were trapped in Mexico until further notice. Tourists started to panic when a resort in Puerto Vallarta was close to some explosions by the cartels. Flights to and from Mexico were canceled or postponed to a later date. Schools in multiple states were closed. According to the NY Times, the U.S. government warned American tourists to “shelter in place until further notice.”
Cartel Causes Chaos in the Streets
13 states in Mexico were affected by the cartel’s violent response. 20 state-run bank branches were burned, and 20 roads were blocked with vehicles on fire. Security forces were deployed to prevent any more damage by the cartel. After forces were deployed, the Mexican Security Cabinet said that 83% of the roads that were blocked were cleared and deemed safe. According to CNN, President Claudia Sheinbaum said “peace, security, and normalcy” are being maintained across Mexico after suspected gang members torched buses and businesses while clashing with security forces. Dozens were killed.
