Arrest of Cartel 'Boss' Causes Wave of Destruction in Mexico

Authorities have arrested a series of drug cartel figures in western Mexico, causing vandalism of vehicles and businesses in two states in apparent reaction.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador , did not identify those arrested in Jalisco on Tuesday, but said the soldiers faced off against criminals, including a "boss", in a "meeting of two gangs". There were gunfights and arrests, "which sparked protests not only in Jalisco, but also in Guanajuato, where they burned vehicles," he said.

Images circulating on social media showed men looting cars and buses and setting them on fire in the middle of the road. There was also one showing a burnt-out convenience store.

FERNANDO CARRANZA / REUTERS

transports cartel bosses in front of police officers in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, August 9, 2022 .

Lopez Obrador said Wednesday that authorities were still deployed in the area and were aiming to make further arrests.

The region is dominated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which the Department of Justice has classified as the "5 Most Dangerous Transnational Criminal Organizations." Seen as "one of a kind". in the world. "

cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, 'El Mencho,'" is one of the most wanted by Mexican and US authorities. There was no indication that Osegera was present during the collision.

In May, Mexican authorities announced that was a suspected leader of the CJNG.  captured. Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernández, known as "El Senoron" or "XL" or "Frank", was arrested in an operation by naval agents in the tourist city of Mazatlan in the northwestern state of Sinaloa.

Mexico has been caught in a spiral of cartel-related violence, with more than 340,000 people dead since the government launched a controversial anti-drug campaign with federal forces in 2006.

In April, Lopez Obrador announced that Mexico would deploy special forces trained by US authorities to combat drug cartels. Confirmed dismantled. criminal. 

A month before that, Lopez Obrador accused the popular TV show of glorifying the violent drug trade. He criticized his series on television on platforms such as Netflix, saying Life of a Drug Trafficker presented a rosy version of his style.