The killing of cartel boss Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes by federal forces has triggered a wave of violence in the state of Jalisco. Members of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) set up roadblocks, commandeered and burned buses and taxis, and targeted shops from a Costco in Puerto Vallarta to local corner stores. The city of Guadalajara activated a red alert, freezing activity and encouraging residents to stay home. Sunday's Clásico Nacional women's match between Chivas and Club América was postponed, as was a men's Liga MX contest in Querétaro.
The Estadio Akron, home to Chivas de Guadalajara and scheduled to host four group matches at this summer's World Cup, lies just over a mile from where a burning bus blocked the road. The incident has brought long-simmering questions about fan safety to the forefront, with concerns that the tournament could be affected by cartel violence.
This is not the first time football has been disrupted by organised crime in Mexico. In August 2011, a gun battle outside Santos Laguna's Estadio Corona sent players and fans scrambling for cover. More recently, the second-division club Dorados have not played a home match in Sinaloa since October 2024 due to factional violence. In 2019, the Sinaloa Cartel's show of force during the Battle of Culiacán led to the release of Ovidio Guzmán López after authorities attempted to capture him.
With thousands of visitors expected for the World Cup, the security situation in Jalisco has reignited debates about how authorities will ensure the tournament proceeds without incident. The operation that killed El Mencho, while a significant blow to the CJNG, risks destabilising the region and heightening fears for the safety of fans and locals alike.
