Mexico is on closely watched after Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, had been killed in an encounter with security forces in Mexico. El Mencho was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Reacting to the death of El Mencho, the Embassy of India in Mexico has asked Indian nationals to be extra careful amid apprehensions that violence could flare up in retaliation.
Military Operations and Death
According to Mexican authorities, El Mencho was killed during a counter-narcotics operation at Tapalpa in Jalisco state, Western Mexico; he was being transported to Mexico City. The counter-narco initiative is viewed as one of the most effective actions in the government’s anti-drug war against the powerful cartels.
The killing is the highest-profile hit on the realm of crime since the arrest of Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán about ten years ago.
Violence Spreading Across the States
Shortly afterward, gang retaliations spread over different regions. In places like Guadalajara, Zapopan, and Puerto Vallarta the armed forces torched cars, blocked major motorways, killed law officers, made arrests, before they made a run for it.
Some law officers were reportedly killed, while others sustained a lot of injury; many suspects were arrested during further operations, with arms seized such as armored vehicles and rocket launchers.
There were widespread unrest and disruption. There were closures of schools across a number of states, and there was immense nosedive in transportation, so much so that there were only a few flights in and out of Guadalajara’s international airport due to airborne staff shortages.
Advisory for Indian Nationals
The Indian Embassy in Mexico advised all Indian nationals:
To avoid non-essential travel
Stay indoors in affected areas
Keep track of the local news and official guidance.
Follow orders given by local authorities
Several other countries have issued security alerts to their nationals of a similar nature.
The International Reaction and Security Implications
Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, has confirmed that Canada is in touch with the Mexican Foreign Ministry regarding the case.
Analysts highlighted the potential for the murder to be a turning point in Mexico’s organized crime crackdown and to strengthen its security objectives in cooperation discussions with the U. S. However, experts are worried about the power vacuum that exists within CJNG in the wake of Oseguera’s death, for it may indicate further violence from competitors among the factions, essentially heightened during turf wars of this nature.
What Next
Analysts warn that the steps to be taken by the federal administration will be crucial. A “law-and-order” response prioritizing intelligence may impinge on cartel operations, but any internal competition within CJNG may generate instability in the short run.
Key regions are to remain under tight security, while the country awaits possible other malign actions directed at it.
