Mexican military operation kills cartel leader El Mencho
CJNG leader El Mencho was killed in a Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, the Ministry of Defense confirmed.
Colombian artist Kali Uchis was scheduled to perform in the Mexican state of Jalisco on Sunday, February 22nd, but her show was canceled following the death of the country’s top drug lord.
Mexico’s Ministry of Defense announced that drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military operation. He was seriously injured in a gunfight in Tapulapa, Jalisco, and died while being airlifted to Mexico City.
As a result, concerts and sporting events were canceled or postponed in Jalisco and neighboring states. Uchis was scheduled to perform at Auditorio Telmex in Zapopan, Mexico on February 22 as part of the Latin American leg of his Sincerely Tour, but the venue announced the show’s cancellation.
“We would like to inform the people of Guadalajara that due to circumstances beyond the control of the artists, promoters and venue, the Kali Uchis concert scheduled for today will not take place,” the statement said.
Kali Uchis concert canceled in Mexico after ‘El Mencho’ death
The February 22 concert was canceled and no postponements or rescheduled dates were made. The statement also included refund information for those who purchased tickets to the show.
The “Telepathia” artist, who performed in Monterrey on February 21, did not explicitly mention the cancellation of the performance. As of late Sunday, shows scheduled for Feb. 25 in Mexico City were not affected.
“gracias Monterey. nos vemos mañana Guadalajara,” she wrote on her Instagram Story, which translates to “Thank you, Monterrey. See you tomorrow, Guadalajara.”
Shakira, Jesse & Joy and Bryan Adams perform in Mexico this week
As of Sunday, Jesse and Joy are scheduled to perform at Arena Gudalajara on Friday, February 27th, and Bryan Adams is scheduled to perform on Saturday, February 28th. Air Supply is also scheduled to perform at Auditoria Telmex on February 28th.
Port America Latitude, a music festival scheduled to be held in Guadalajara, will open on Saturday, February 28th. The lineup includes Lila Downs, Dani Martin and Alde Bogotá.
Fans in Mexico City are hoping that Shakira will perform her first free concert in 20 years in the city’s famous Zocalo central square. The show will take place on Sunday, March 1st at 8pm local time.
What is happening in Mexico?
Oseguera, a former police officer, was the shadow leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, named after the western state where Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s largest cities, is located. In a relatively short period of time, the cartel transformed into an international criminal organization comparable to its former allies in the Sinaloa Cartel. The Sinaloa Cartel is the gang of captured tycoon Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently in a U.S. prison.
Oseguera’s death marked a major victory in Mexico’s war against drug cartels that were smuggling billions of dollars of cocaine and fentanyl into the United States. The operation sparked a wave of violence, with cars torched and armed groups blocking highways in more than six states.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on social media that she was “in absolute partnership with all state governments,” adding that they “work every day for peace, security, justice, and well-being in Mexico.”
Mexican residents asked to stay at home
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to stay at home until the situation subsides, and the U.S. Embassy advised citizens to shelter in place.
Mexican media reported that vehicles were set on fire and armed groups blocked highways in more than six states across the country, especially in the north and west.
Flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara airports have been diverted or canceled by major airlines including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The Liga MX Femenil match between Chivas and Club América and the men’s Liga MX match scheduled for February 22 have been postponed due to violence.
Contributor: James Powell, USA TODAY. Beth Warren, Courier Journal
