Mexico to investigate a town that thanked a drug lord for holiday season gifts for children

Updated 11:31 AM CST, December 30, 2024

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Monday that prosecutors are investigating officials in a town where a sign was posted thanking a drug lord for holiday season gifts for children.

In the past, drug cartels in Mexico have often handed out gifts or bags of food to local people around the holidays, to try to improve their image or build local support. The cartels often want local people to warn them of army raids, but at the same time the gangs usually extort protection money from local residents.

Videos posted on social media last week from the town of Coalcoman, in the western state of Michoacan, showed a sign at a Christmas fair thanking Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, better known by his nickname “El Mencho,” for the gifts.

“The children of Coalcoman thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their noble gesture. Thank for your gifts,” the sign read.

A person speaking over a loudspeaker repeated that message, but it was unclear how much local officials were involved in or aware of the message, or whether they had approved of it. Such fairs are often in part organized by civic, neighborhood or other groups.

More:
https://apnews.com/article/mexico-drug-cartels-holiday-gifts-c7ce2859fbc824bc937ffa061262b17e



"El Mencho"

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"Interesting" article concerning the cartel controlled by El Mencho:

Mexican drug cartel threatens to kill TV reporter
10 August 2021

Men claiming to speak for Mexico's most powerful drug cartel have released a video threatening to murder a prominent female news anchor over what they deem to be unfair coverage.

The warning was made by a man who said it was on behalf of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG).

He complained that Milenio Television was favouring so-called self-defence groups organised to resist the CJNG.

In the video, journalist Azucena Uresti is threatened directly.

"I will make you eat your words even if they accuse me of femicide," the masked speaker, who is surrounded by six heavily armed men, warns.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58153732

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Mexico cartel used explosive drones to attack police
21 April 2021

Suspected criminals in Mexico have used drones to drop explosives on police, injuring two officers.

Officials think the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is behind Tuesday's attack in the western state of Michoacán.

In August, two rigged drones were found in the car of suspected CJNG members.

The drones are thought to be the latest weapons in a deadly war between the drugs cartel and the security forces and vigilantes opposed to them.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56814501