The death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel -CJNG-, on Sunday during an operation by the Mexican Army with intelligence support from the United States, has triggered a wave of violence across several regions of the country at a time when Mexico is preparing to host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. The cartel leader, considered one of the most wanted drug traffickers in the world, died while being transported to Mexico City after being wounded in a confrontation in the municipality of Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, according to official military sources.
The operation, in which six other alleged CJNG members were killed and armored vehicles and heavy weapons were seized, was followed by coordinated road blockades, vehicle burnings and highway closures in multiple states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Tamaulipas, Guerrero, Quintana Roo and Baja California. Authorities identified more than 252 affected highways, while flights were canceled at airports such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, and public transport restrictions and school suspensions were implemented in several areas.
The geographic spread of these incidents coincides with the operational preparation phase of the 2026 World Cup, an event that will bring together national teams, technical delegations, international sports bodies and thousands of visitors in cities including Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, which will serve as key operational hubs during the tournament.
Guadalajara, a World Cup host city, at the center of the unrest
One of the main focal points of the disturbances has been Guadalajara, one of the official host cities of the 2026 World Cup, where matches will be played at Estadio Akron, located in the municipality of Zapopan. The stadium is scheduled to host several group stage matches, including Mexico vs South Korea, South Korea vs UEFA play-off winner, Colombia vs intercontinental play-off winner, and Uruguay vs Spain, one of the most anticipated fixtures on Mexican soil. The same venue saw the suspension of the Liga MX Femenil clásico between Guadalajara and América due to security concerns. The timing of the unrest places the city within the World Cup’s operational framework at a critical stage of logistical and security planning, with national teams, technical staff and international personnel expected to be present.
The violence also forced the suspension of the Liga MX match between Querétaro and Juárez, scheduled at Estadio La Corregidora, a venue with ongoing international activity that will host a friendly match between Mexico and Iceland on Tuesday. At the same time, Guadalajara International Airport reported flight cancellations, while at least 69 flights were suspended in Puerto Vallarta, affecting one of the country’s main international entry points.
Opening match, host cities and arrival of international fans
Mexico will host World Cup matches in three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, with venues at Estadio Azteca, Estadio Akron and Estadio BBVA. These stadiums form part of the official calendar of the International Federation of Association Football -FIFA-, which will bring group stage matches and national teams from multiple continents to Mexican territory. Organizing the tournament requires coordination between local, federal and international authorities in areas including security, transportation, accommodation and the protection of sports infrastructure.
The tournament will also involve the arrival of thousands of international fans traveling to these cities, with movement expected between stadiums, training centers and operational zones linked to the competition. Airports in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey will serve as primary entry points during the tournament, in a context where some governments, including those of the United States and Canada, have issued security recommendations to their citizens following recent incidents.
International cooperation and the security framework of the tournament
The operation that resulted in the death of ‘El Mencho’ was conducted with intelligence support from the United States, as confirmed by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who stated that the cartel leader was “one of the principal traffickers of fentanyl” and that the CJNG had been designated a foreign terrorist organization. Bilateral security cooperation forms part of the broader framework in which the 2026 World Cup is being organized, with Mexico, the United States and Canada coordinating operational, migration and security measures as co-hosts of the tournament.
In Jalisco, authorities have announced the deployment of more than 2,000 surveillance cameras, drone monitoring and coordinated patrols involving the National Guard and the Mexican Army, as part of preparations that coincide with the World Cup timeline. During the tournament, host cities will receive national teams, international sports organizations, media outlets and fans, placing these locations at the center of global football operations for several weeks.
