The Russian spoke about the situation in Mexico after the elimination of drug lord El Mencho

An eyewitness to the riots in Mexico, Russian Yevgeny Ennikov, spoke to Izvestia on February 23 about the situation in the country after the liquidation of the head of the region's largest cartel, the New Generation of Jalisco (CJNG), drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known by the nickname El Mencho.

Currently located in the capital of the country, Mexico City. According to the Russian, he was very lucky — he managed to return from the state, where the "most violent situation" is currently taking place. At the same time, there are three times as many police on the streets in Mexico City as usual.

"As for Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, <...> people are shooting, setting cars on fire, people are driving, and they are being thrown out. <...> Molotov cocktails are being thrown into apartments," said Ennikov.

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On the same day, security analyst and political scientist David Saucedo, in an interview with Izvestia, named three possible scenarios after the liquidation of Cervantes. According to him, the first option is to appoint a new cartel leader who continues his criminal activities. The analyst added that the second option could be a split within the cartel if the leaders fail to choose a successor to El Mencho.

The Associated Press reported on the same day that at least 14 people had died as a result of large-scale riots in Mexico. It was noted that seven members of the National Guard of the country were among the dead. In addition, the authorities of several states have canceled classes in schools, and foreign governments have urged citizens in Mexico to stay at home.

El Mencho was eliminated on February 22 in the municipality of Talpa de Allende in the state of Jalisco. It was clarified that the liquidation was carried out by units of the Mexican Armed Forces. White House press Secretary Caroline Leavitt announced on February 23 that American intelligence had assisted in the liquidation of the head of the drug cartel.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.