Riots in Mexico after the killing of "El Mencho"

Violence has erupted across the country following the killing of the leader of the most powerful drug cartel in Mexico, "El Mencho", and at least 55 people have been killed, including 25 security personnel. This unstable situation is also of serious concern to FIFA. The possibility of holding the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Mexico at the end of March, in another country for security reasons is being discussed.

It should be recalled that the world's most famous drug lord, Nemesio Osguera Cervantes, for whom the United States had announced a $ 15 million reward for his head, was killed on February 22 during an operation conducted by Mexican special forces. "El Mencho", a former police officer, created a powerful criminal organization that smuggled large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States.