DID Press: Just months before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Guadalajara, one of the tournament’s host cities, has fallen temporarily under the control of drug cartels amid a surge in violence.
The unrest intensified after Mexican authorities confirmed the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. With approximately 19,000 members operating across 21 Mexican states, CJNG is the country’s most powerful criminal organization.
In retaliation, armed cartel members blocked streets, torched vehicles and businesses, and created widespread chaos in several cities including Guadalajara, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. Videos from the Guadalajara airport showed passengers fleeing as flights were canceled due to the violence.
Guadalajara has previously been in the headlines for extreme cartel violence, including the discovery of 500 body bags, raising serious concerns about the safety of fans attending the World Cup. Authorities are under intense pressure to restore security before the global tournament.