The streets of Guadalajara, Mexico, are still smoldering with the aftermath of a terrifying cartel rampage, and the threat of more violence hangs heavy in the air. It’s a stark reminder that the war on drugs in Mexico is far from over—and it’s only getting more brutal. Driving through the city, the charred remains of vehicles line the roadsides, and scorched patches of asphalt scar the highways. This was the handiwork of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most feared criminal organizations, retaliating against the killing of their leader, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera. The message was clear: even without their boss, the CJNG remains a force to be reckoned with, capable of unleashing chaos and fear on a massive scale.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public on Monday that 'peace and tranquility' were returning, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Troops and police officers patrol the streets, ostensibly to reassure residents, but for many, their presence only heightens the sense of unease. Schools are closed, businesses shuttered, and the streets are eerily empty—a testament to the fear gripping the city and the wider Jalisco state.
And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t an isolated incident. For two decades, communities like Guadalajara have endured organized crime, cartel roadblocks, bus burnings, and the kidnapping of ordinary citizens. Left-wing parliamentary deputy Mariana Casillas points out that this cycle of violence began in 2006, during the presidency of Felipe Calderón, when the government launched its war on drugs. 'As a local representative, it’s my duty to ask why this model has continued to fail for over twenty years,' she says. The cartels treat life as disposable, while the government focuses on taking out high-profile leaders instead of addressing the root causes of violence and poverty that fuel gang recruitment.
With over 60 funerals being organized—for both CJNG members and National Guard troops—the question on everyone’s mind is: Will this strategy of targeting top leaders only lead to more bloodshed? Drug war expert Deborah Bonello, managing editor of the Insight Crime think tank, argues that it will. 'Removing a major leader creates a power vacuum, triggering violent struggles for control,' she explains. 'We’ve seen this pattern repeat itself across Mexico for years.'
One looming concern is the FIFA World Cup in June, set to bring thousands of international football fans to Guadalajara. The city’s main stadium will host a highly anticipated match between Spain and Uruguay, but after this week’s events, many are questioning whether it’s safe. Anwar Montoya, a local resident, sums it up: 'I don’t think this is a safe place for the World Cup.'
Mariana Casillas echoes this sentiment, highlighting the 'very painful crises' in Jalisco: the crisis of violence, the crisis of the disappeared, and the lack of basic necessities like clean water. Tens of thousands of people have gone missing in Mexico since 2007, many forcibly recruited into cartels or murdered for resisting. 'The people here don’t want the World Cup,' Casillas insists. 'They want security, clean water, and their disappeared relatives back.'
Here’s the burning question: Is Mexico’s approach to the drug war making things worse? And can the government truly ensure safety for both its citizens and international visitors while ignoring the deeper issues at play? Let us know what you think in the comments—this is a conversation that needs to happen.
