In Mexico, the funeral of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, took place. He was killed at the end of February as a result of a special operation by Mexican security forces. The final journey of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was marked by a luxurious golden coffin and music from an orchestra playing narcocorridos, as reported by the BBC.
El Mencho, who was 59 years old, died on February 22 from injuries sustained during a clash between his security team and special forces sent to apprehend him.
Cervantes, who led one of the most notorious drug cartels in the country, was among Mexico's most wanted criminals. U.S. authorities had offered a generous reward of $15 million for information that could lead to his arrest.
The death of El Mencho triggered a wave of unrest across the country: cartel members set cars on fire and blocked roads in 20 Mexican states.
At the funeral, held near Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco, where the cartel has its roots, additional security measures were taken. Extra units of the National Guard were deployed to the streets.
Before the ceremony began, numerous floral arrangements were brought to the funeral hall, among which stood out one in the shape of a rooster—a symbol of the deceased's passion for cockfighting.
According to AFP, five trucks were needed to deliver the anonymously sent floral wreaths to the cemetery due to their impressive quantity.
The funeral procession was accompanied by an orchestra playing traditional ranchera music and narcocorridos that tell the stories of drug lords.
Local media reported that when Cervantes' gilded coffin was brought to the chapel at the cemetery, the orchestra played the popular folk song El Muchacho Alegre ("The Happy Boy").
After a lengthy ceremony, during which many attendees hid their faces behind masks, they followed the coffin to its final resting place.
Journalists noted that El Mencho's grave looks quite modest compared to the burials of other drug lords, whose graves are topped with large mausoleums.
The special operation that culminated in Cervantes' elimination was a significant achievement for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is under pressure from Donald Trump, demanding real steps from the Mexican authorities in the fight against drug trafficking.
However, experts express concerns that El Mencho's death could create a power vacuum and trigger a surge in violence, as factions within the cartel may begin to fight for control over his empire.
The post In Mexico, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was buried in a golden coffin first appeared on the K-News website.
