Violence erupted across the Mexican state of Jalisco on Sunday after federal forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). In response, cartel members set up blockades, commandeered and burned buses and taxis, and targeted shops for arson, from a Costco in Puerto Vallarta to corner stores. The city of Guadalajara activated a red alert, freezing activity for citizens and closing bars and restaurants.
The unrest directly affected football: Sunday's Clásico Nacional between the women's teams of Chivas de Guadalajara and Club América was postponed, as was a men's Liga MX match in Querétaro, over 200 miles away. A burning bus blocked the only road to the Estadio Akron, home of Chivas, which is scheduled to host four group matches at this year's World Cup. The CJNG operation reportedly blocked roads in at least eight states.
The violence has revived long-standing concerns about security for the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico will co-host. A similar incident occurred in August 2011, when a gun battle outside Santos Laguna's Estadio Corona sent players and fans scrambling for cover. More recently, second-division club Dorados have not played a home match in Sinaloa since October 2024 due to cartel violence, temporarily relocating to Baja California.
Experts worry that the killing of El Mencho could lead to long-term instability. In 2019, the capture of Ovidio Guzmán López sparked the Battle of Culiacán, as the Sinaloa Cartel set up blockades and fired weapons until he was released. Mexican security columnist Óscar Balderas claimed a high-level source told him Mexico had asked the United States not to kill El Mencho, fearing reprisals. With the World Cup approaching, authorities face mounting pressure to ensure fan safety.
