Current Events

I would be remiss if I did not mention the events of the past weekend here in Mexico.  You have probably read or heard the news of the Mexican military operation that resulted in the death on Sunday of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the cartel leader known as "El Mencho".  "El Mencho" was the leader of the country's most powerful cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.  The cartel is based in the western state of Jalisco, but has branches throughout Mexico.  

A raid on "El Mencho's" hideout in the small town of Tapalpa was carried out by the Mexican army and National Guard on the 12th anniversary of the arrest of "El Chapo", the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.  The attack resulted in the deaths of several of the cartel leader's security guards and 29 members of the military.  "El Mencho" himself was seriously wounded in the fight and died while being transported back to Mexico City.

The cartel retaliated with violence in Jalisco and several other states.  Buses were commandeered and set on fire, creating roadblocks on highways to impede the movement of police and military.  Numerous businesses were looted and burned, and power lines were cut.  The worst incidents occurred in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, and the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta, where tourists were told to shelter in their hotels.  Schools in several states were closed, and air and bus transportation was disrupted.

In Mexico City it is business as usual.  One would never have known that anything out of the ordinary was going on in other parts of the country.  From what I heard on Tuesday morning's news, it seems that, except for some sporadic incidents in Jalisco, the situation is back to normal throughout the country... roadblocks cleared, public transportation cleared and schools back in session.  Fortunately, I have not heard of any deaths or injuries of innocent civilians.  Some of the news reports would make one think that the entire country is burning and in chaos, and our "pendejo" senator from Ohio, Bernie Moreno, warned that the narcos are going to come after U.S. tourists and residents.  But here in Mexico City it is just another sunny morning.