Soccer matches postponed after Mexico kills cartel leader ‘El Mencho’ near World Cup host

Four nonrecreational shot matches successful Mexico were postponed Sunday aft unit flared adjacent Guadalajara — 1 of the country’s big cities for the 2026 World Cup — successful the aftermath of a subject cognition that near cartel person Nemesio Oseguera, known arsenic "El Mencho," dead.

Liga MX officials removed 2 top-flight fixtures from the docket — Querétaro’s matchup against Juárez FC successful the men’s league and the women’s showdown betwixt Chivas and América — and besides called disconnected 2 second-division contests amid information concerns.

The disruption followed operations earlier successful the time successful Tapalpa, Jalisco, astir 2 hours southwest of Guadalajara. Mexican authorities said Oseguera, a erstwhile constabulary serviceman who roseate to pb the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), was killed during the operation.

In the aftermath, vehicles were acceptable ablaze and highways were blocked crossed astir a twelve Mexican states, according to officials.

MAJOR DRUG LORD 'EL MENCHO' KILLED IN MEXICAN MILITARY OPERATION WITH US INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT

Vehicles thrust past a burning autobus utilized arsenic a roadblock by organized transgression pursuing a national cognition successful which Mexican cause lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known arsenic "El Mencho," was killed. (Gabriel Trujillo/Reuters)

Guadalajara, the superior of Jalisco state, is slated to signifier 4 matches during the 2026 World Cup, including 2 involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are besides scheduled to play astatine the venue.

Mexico’s nationalist squad remains acceptable to big Iceland successful a affable Wednesday astatine Corregidora Stadium successful Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican shot federation had not announced immoderate changes to that match.

Not each sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open successful Acapulco said the ATP tourney would statesman Monday astatine the GNP Arena arsenic planned.

"The tournament's cognition continues arsenic normal," organizers of the tourney said successful a statement.

Oseguera had carried a $15 cardinal U.S. bounty and roseate to prominence pursuing the apprehension of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the erstwhile caput of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over the past decennary and a half, CJNG expanded from a determination transgression radical into a planetary trafficking web operating crossed overmuch of Mexico from its stronghold successful Jalisco.

A burned conveyance utilized arsenic a barricade by organized transgression members, pursuing a bid of arrests by national forces, lies successful Guadalajara, Mexico. (Michelle Freyria/Reuters)

"I’ve conscionable been informed that Mexican information forces person killed 'El Mencho,' 1 of the bloodiest and astir ruthless cause kingpins," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said successful a station connected X. "This is simply a large improvement for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The bully guys are stronger than the atrocious guys."

The Mexican Defense Department said the cognition was conducted arsenic portion of bilateral coordination and practice with the U.S., and that U.S. authorities provided complementary quality that contributed to El Mencho's killing.

After El Mencho's death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads successful astir a twelve Mexican states.

TOURISTS IN MEXICAN SEASIDE RESORT TOLD TO STAY ON RESORT AS GOVERNMENT WARNS OF 'CLASHES'

A worker stands defender by a charred conveyance aft it was acceptable connected fire, successful Cointzio, Michoacán state, Mexico. (AP Photo/Armando Solis)

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The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación is considered the astir almighty cartel successful Mexico with an estimated 19,000 members and operations crossed 21 of the country's 32 states.

The Trump medication designated the cartel arsenic a overseas violent organization.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.