Mexican Authorities Transfer El Mencho's Body to Family After Drug Lord's Death
Mexican prosecutors have officially returned the body of infamous drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, to his family members. This development follows his death at the hands of the Mexican army last week, as confirmed by officials on Saturday.
Procedural Protocols and Genetic Verification
In a concise statement posted on X, the Attorney General's Office detailed that the handover occurred only after completing all necessary procedural protocols. The office emphasized that genetic tests were conducted to verify blood ties between the individual requesting the release and the deceased, ensuring proper identification before the transfer.
Wave of Retaliatory Violence Across Mexico
The elimination of Mexico's most powerful drug lord has triggered a significant surge in retaliatory violence, impacting approximately 20 states across the country. Reports indicate that more than 70 people have been killed in the ensuing chaos, raising serious concerns about public safety and stability.
Impact on Tourism and FIFA World Cup Concerns
This escalating violence has stoked fears that the ongoing bloodshed could adversely affect tourism, particularly with the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Mexico later this year. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the country prepares to host the global sporting event.
U.S. Involvement and Cartel Designation
The United States State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to El Mencho's arrest. He led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, recognized as one of Mexico's most powerful and rapidly expanding criminal organizations since its inception around 2009.
In February 2025, the Trump administration formally designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, highlighting its threat level. El Mencho's death represents the Mexican government's most significant achievement to date in demonstrating its crackdown on cartels to the Trump administration.
