Mexican cartel violence: Can hosting the FIFA World Cup be compromised?

Mexico’s participation in hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer may be in jeopardy due to… The outbreak of drug gang violence Experts told BBC Sport, which began yesterday.

The Jalisco New Generation Drug Cartel (CJNG) – one of the country’s most powerful and feared criminal organizations – has engaged in a shootout with the Mexican Army, blocking roads and burning vehicles in retaliation for the killing of its leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, in a military operation.

The violence began in the country’s central-western state of Jalisco, where the security situation was declared red, and has now spread to at least a dozen other regions, where videos posted online showed gunmen patrolling the streets and smoke rising above the cities.

At least 25 National Guard officers have been killed in the past 24 hours.

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and a population of more than one million people, is scheduled to host four matches in the tournament this summer. Five more are scheduled to be held in Mexico City, and four in Monterrey.

“When you put pressure on the cartels you risk setbacks – the danger is that it can be very difficult to manage a security situation that gets out of control,” says Javier Escoriazza, associate professor of criminal law at the University of Nottingham.

The power vacuum created by the killing of El Mencho could lead to a period of instability and further conflict as rivals vie to replace him.

“In general, the cartels have an economic interest in ensuring that the World Cup takes place peacefully,” Dr. Escoriazza adds.

“Yes, they pay politicians and local police forces, but they also buy restaurants and own hotels. They are part of the economic system.

“It benefits them if Britons, Americans and others go to Mexico, spend their money and have a good time.”

BBC Sport has contacted FIFA for comment.