Latin American Drug Trafficking

President: Violence not a threat to World Cup

Despite the extensive violence in recent days in Mexico, there is no reason to worry ahead of this summer's World Cup, which is being held in the country, among other things. This is what the country's President Claudia Sheinbaum says according to Reuters.

The unrest has flared up because the cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", was killed by the Mexican military.

This weekend, several matches in the country's top football league were forced to be canceled due to roadblocks and arson.

Sources: CIA crucial for the crackdown on El Mencho

Intelligence from the US CIA was crucial for the operation in which the Mexican cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was killed. This is what sources tell Politico.

According to the sources, several US agencies are said to have been involved, but the CIA's contribution is particularly pointed out. Mexico has previously confirmed that the US supported the operation but has stated that the American information only served as a complement.

The CIA's involvement is described as a conscious change of course under the leadership of new director John Ratcliffe.

- Ratcliffe has focused on hitting cartels since day one and this is part of a broader strategy, says the source.