55 Killed in Mexico Due to Violence Following Assassination of Drug Gang Leader

SadaNews - 55 people were killed, including 25 security personnel, due to violent incidents that erupted in Mexico following the assassination of the leader of one of the most dangerous drug gangs, nicknamed "El Mencho", during an operation carried out by federal security forces.

Security Minister Omar García Harfouch explained that the violence erupted in 16 states following the announcement of El Mencho's death, noting that drug gangs launched attacks that resulted in the deaths of 25 security personnel, while 30 gang members were "neutralized".

Authorities closed 85 roads in 11 states as a precautionary measure before restoring traffic on major roads thanks to the deployment of security forces.

The body of El Mencho, who was killed during a military operation conducted by the army in the town of Tapalpa, south of Guadalajara, was transferred to the forensic institute in the capital Mexico City under tight security measures.

El Mencho, the leader of the "Jalisco New Generation" gang, was injured in the town of Tapalpa, located about 130 kilometers south of Guadalajara, and died on Sunday while being airlifted to Mexico City.

The city of Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is set to host four matches of the World Cup scheduled for next June at the Akron Stadium, which has a capacity of 48,000 spectators.

The same stadium will also host the intercontinental playoff matches for the World Cup between March 26 and 28, featuring teams from New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.