There was unrest in Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city, on Sunday after an operation meant to capture drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes resulted in his death. Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, who was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, was killed by the Mexican army, leading to violent scenes across the country.
The operation occurred roughly two hours from the city of Guadalajara. Per reports, Oseguera Cervantes was initially wounded and later died. The military operation in Jalisco resulted in roadblocks, and burning vehicles in parts of Guadalajara metropolitan area, as well as prison riots in Puerto Vallarta.
That prompted the Governor of the State of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, to suspend public transportation, in-person classes and mass events for the remainder of the day on Sunday and on Monday. Additionally, Liga MX Femenil postponed Sunday night’s derby between Chivas of Guadalajara and Club América at the Estadio Akron.
The U.S. government advised its citizens in areas including Guadalajara to shelter in place, citing “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity”.
The Estadio Akron is due to host four group games at the 2026 World Cup this summer, including Mexico v South Korea on June 18 and Uruguay against Spain on June 26.
An aerial view of Estadio Akron, which is due to host four World Cup group games (ULISES RUIZ / AFP via Getty Images)
Before then, New Caledonia, Jamaica, and DR Congo are set to participate in a World Cup playoff tournament at the same venue. The matches are due to take place March 26-28.
Monterrey will host the other side of the playoff bracket with Iraq, Bolivia, and Suriname also vying for a spot at the World Cup finals.
“The State Government is maintaining a temporary suspension of public transport in some areas to protect users and operators,” a statement from the Governor’s office read in part.
The violence that erupted in Guadalajara raises serious security concerns just over one month from the World Cup playoffs in Mexico. The inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup will take place at Estadio Azteco in Mexico City between the hosts Mexico and South Africa.
During an interview with The Athletic in September, Lemus was bullish about the security protocols that would be in place in Guadalajara during this summer’s World Cup. According to Lemus, his administration will implement a state-of-the-art video surveillance system throughout the city. The National Guard and the Mexican army personnel will actively patrol the city’s metropolitan area during the tournament.
The Jalisco New Generation cartel is a notoriously violent organization whose drug trafficking and extortion have plagued Guadalajara for over a decade.
Oseguera Cervantes was a sought-after target for Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. Now, the city’s response to Sunday’s killing of one of Mexico’s most wanted criminals will be the focus of football fans and officials from around the world.
A spokesman for Lemus told The Athletic on Sunday that the governor’s office had not received any communications from FIFA “that should concern us. We are focused on controlling the situation,” the spokesman said.
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