Driving into Mexico’s western city of Guadalajara, the evidence of Sunday’s terrifying cartel rampage is still visible.
The charred debris of burnt cars sits on roadsides and there are scorched patches of asphalt on the highways after the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of the most powerful and feared cartels in the country – set scores of vehicles alight in response to the killing of their boss, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera.
This and the sight of ransacked or burning convenience stores projected exactly the message the CJNG wanted: that with or without their chief, they remain powerful, with the ability to unleash havoc and chaos on the streets – sowing fear and intimidation on a mass scale.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has been trying to counter this narrative. In her daily press conference on Monday, she spoke of “peace and tranquillity” returning to much of the nation and praised the response of the security forces.
Meanwhile, convoys of troops and police officers circulate around Guadalajara. They are meant to bring reassurance but, for many residents, add to the sense of unease.
Despite their presence, the streets are emptier than usual – a sign that people fear more violence, both in Guadalajara and in the wider Jalisco state. Most small businesses were shuttered and schools were closed as workers stayed at home, lying low with their families.
Credit: bbc.com
