Mexico will reportedly proceed with its World Cup warm-up match against Iceland as planned on Wednesday despite ongoing cartel violence in the country.
Just months out from the major soccer tournament, which will see Mexico host 13 games across three cities, chaos broke out on Sunday after notorious drug lord Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes was killed.
The Mexican Army entered the town of Tapalpa and took out ‘El Mencho,’ high-ranking officials told local publications. He was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s most powerful drug cartels that plays a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US.
His death has sparked violent retaliation throughout Mexico, with Canada urging people to avoid travel there due to ‘high levels of violence and organized crime’, while some American tourists are reportedly trapped after heading south of the border.
Yet despite the turbulent scenes, Mexico’s national soccer team still plans to play its friendly match against Iceland at Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
Mexico will proceed with its World Cup warm-up match against Iceland as planned Wednesday
Cartel violence has broken out in Mexico after a notorious drug lord was killed on Sunday
But the country’s soccer team will still line up at Coreggidora Stadium (pictured) this week
The squad went ahead with its previously scheduled training session in Queretaro on Monday ahead of the friendly, before a source from the Mexican federation revealed it was expected to take place as planned.
The terrifying violence has broken out barely 100 days before Mexico City hosts the opening game of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.
This will be the biggest World Cup in history, with 48 teams competing over 104 games between June 11 and July 19. But the tournament has also been dogged by concerns over ticket prices, fan visas, travel bans and immigration enforcement.
Now World Cup officials are facing fresh turmoil after cartel violence erupted in Mexico over the weekend.
It’s said that in the states of Jalisco, Guerrero and Michoacan, there have been explosions and shootouts between the cartels and security forces.
Criminal groups have reportedly set up roadblocks using burning vehicles in several cities across south west Mexico.
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is scheduled to host four World Cup games in June.
