Mexico: violent clashes after drug lord's death
The killing by the Mexican military of Mexican drug lord Nemesios Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho", has triggered a violent backlash from his powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Dozens of people have already been killed in the clashes. Europe's press discusses how the conflict will affect the country's stability.
The government has finally cracked down
La Vanguardia congratulates Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum:
“Washington had increased the pressure on Mexican security policy. ... Trump had even threatened Sheinbaum with military intervention and higher tariffs. ... In this context, Sunday's operation represents the Mexican government's biggest success to date against the drug cartels. No previous government ever managed to arrest the world's most wanted drug lord. ... Sheinbaum can now put this extraordinary coup in the area of security on the table, and Mexico can show the world that it has its security under control in the run-up to the World Cup.”
War on drugs continues
Avvenire does not expect any fundamental progress:
“To break up these cartels, it is vital to strengthen the judiciary, which is still too closely intertwined with the executive branch, and to combat corruption and money laundering. ... The end of 'El Mencho' will certainly have a profound impact on the Jalisco cartel. Other groups could see this weakening as an opportunity to be exploited in a bloody manner. The violence that was unleashed almost automatically in response to the military operation is just a prelude. ... With or without 'El Mencho', the narco-war continues.”