United News of Bangladesh

Mexico has sent thousands of additional soldiers to western parts of the country after a wave of violence broke out following the death in custody of one of the nation’s most powerful drug lords, the government said on Monday. Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an extra 2,500 troops were deployed to bolster security, taking the total number of soldiers and National Guard members sent to affected areas to about 9,500 since Sunday. Unrest has been reported in at least 20 states since the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He died shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces in Jalisco state. Security officials said El Mencho was seriously wounded during a firefight between his bodyguards and military commandos and later died while being transported from the town of Tapalpa to the capital. At least six of his guards were killed in the operation, while three soldiers were injured. Since news of his death spread, cartel members have launched coordinated attacks in areas where the group is active, setting buses and vehicles on fire, blocking roads with spikes and nails, and torching banks and local businesses. Authorities said dozens of commercial properties were damaged. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said the violence has claimed the lives of a prison guard, a prosecutor’s office employee and about 30 suspected cartel members. At least 25 members of Mexico’s National Guard have also been killed in Jalisco since the unrest began. President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the military operation and said restoring calm was her top priority. She said roadblocks had largely been cleared by Monday morning and stressed close coordination between the government and security forces. Videos verified by media organisations showed burning buses, deserted streets and clashes between armed cartel members and the National Guard in several towns, including areas near Guadalajara and the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta. In some footage, tourists were seen watching smoke rise as military helicopters flew low over hotel zones. The defence ministry said the operation to capture El Mencho was carried out by the Mexican army with support from the National Guard and Air Force. It added that intelligence shared by the United States Department of State helped locate the cartel leader, but confirmed that no US forces were involved in the raid that led to his death. El Mencho had been Mexico’s most wanted fugitive, with the United States offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his capture.   With inputs fro BBC