WORLD CUP VISITORS FEAR CARTEL TERROR IN GUADALAJARA

MEXICO CITY – On June 11, the first match to be played in Mexico as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in Zapopan, in Jalisco State, Mexico.

The city was also host to a deadly wave of terror that was launched after Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, more known as his nom de guerre, “El Mencho,” was killed on Sunday morning during a federal operation by the Mexican military.

“El Mencho” was the head of the powerful and ultra-violent Mexican crime syndicate, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, and reigned over half the territory of Mexico through fear and ambition, killing mayors, judges, police commanders, prosecutors, and federal politicians who got in his way.

The CJNG rose to power by establishing lucrative drug routes on six continents, lining the pockets of corrupt politicians, recruiting thousands into what later became his 15,000-soldier army, and eliminating the opposition.

The group served as an umbrella organization, charging fees to smaller drug trafficking factions for the use of its drug routes north towards the United States.

During a morning press conference on Monday, alongside the Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Secretary of Defense Ricardo Trevilla Trejo confirmed that on Feb. 20, authorities received a tip from someone close to “El Mencho’s” romantic partner, indicating that the cartel boss was holed up at a small hideout in Tapalpa, a small town near Zapopan.

Two days later, on Feb. 22, a covert military force was deployed to the location of “El Mencho’s hideout, where the gang leader, with the support of his bodyguards, met authorities with automatic gunfire, killing several service members in the operation.

“El Mencho” then retreated into a wooded area, according to Secretary of Defense Trevillo, where “El Mencho” was discovered wounded with two of his bodyguards near a cabin adjacent to the hideout.

Trevillo also confirmed that eight of “El Mencho’s” associates were killed in the gun battle.

Unconfirmed reports also indicate that “El Mencho” was captured alive, but later died as he was airlifted en route to Mexico City.

News of the crime boss’s death spread like wildfire. CJNG associates were then ordered to seize private vehicles from local citizens and then set them afire to install roadblocks along major thoroughfares to prevent law enforcement from carrying out additional operations.

Passenger buses were also set on fire, including gas stations, local businesses, and grocery stores. A Costco enterprise in Puerto Vallarta shut down when gunmen set fire to vehicles parked at the business’s parking lot.

CJNG gunmen were also given a “shoot to kill” order of civilians by their command if certain demands by the group were not met.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro issued a RED ALERT for Jalisco State, advising that all residents shelter in place as gunmen stormed Guadalajara Airport.

Foreign tourists vacationing at popular resort complexes were caught in the middle of the violence as CJNG factions waged war against Mexican authorities and elements of the National Guard. Guard members could be seen sprawled out on the streets after being ambushed by cartel gunmen.

Images showing service members wearing National Guard uniforms shot to death in broad daylight were scattered on social media.

As of Monday, at least 25 National Guard troops have been killed by cartel gunmen during the ensuing violence.

The Civil Hospital in Guadalajara was also under a threat alarm from gunmen near the premises. Patients and hospital staff could be seen fleeing the complex as the Mexican National Guard fought to regain control of the surrounding area.

Reports of numerous flights have been canceled on Monday for tourists wanting to flee the region.

Local hotels, most frequented by visitors, are overflowing with requests for reservations while authorities evacuate non-citizen nationals to places of safety as the violence continues to rage in Puerto Vallarta and the neighboring municipalities.

The U.S. State Department has advised its citizens to find shelter and avoid the public streets as the conditions of the situation in Jalisco may worsen in the coming days.

It is not atypical for eruptions of violence to take place following the death of a major crime boss in Mexico. Rival factions and allied members commonly compete for territory and top positions of the weakened organization during a dangerous period in which a power vacuum can often ignite further bloodshed.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup quickly approaching, analysts suggest that the highly anticipated matches in Jalisco and Guadalajara, more specifically, could be compromised as a result of this weekend’s violence.

On Jun 18, Mexico is set to host South Korea at Akron Stadium in Zapopan.

Residents are beginning to cast doubt on the festive prospects, but refuse to voice their concerns publicly for fear of retribution.

One resident, whose name shall be hidden, says that the syndicates of old are no longer around. Today, she says, the organizations terrorize the people, they have guns for armies and have “more control of the cities than the government.”

FIFA has yet to release a statement regarding the violence.