The article discusses the capture of notorious Mexican drug lord Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencha', by the army during a rendezvous with his mistress, while raising questions about the enduring violence in Mexico's drug trade.
The article details the arrest of Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencha', who rose from an avocado farmer to become one of Mexico’s most powerful drug lords. His capture by the Mexican army occurred due to his meeting with a mistress, which highlighted the ongoing challenges in tackling the drug trade. Political scientist Jaroslav Bílek comments on the satisfaction felt by the public when high-profile criminals are caught or killed, yet notes that such events rarely change the entrenched nature of drug trafficking, as new leaders quickly emerge to fill the power void.
Bílek references the challenges faced in past attempts to apprehend El Mencha, including an incident a decade ago when his security team shot down an army helicopter with an anti-aircraft missile. El Mencha’s operations were heavily fortified, with hundreds of bodyguards, armored vehicles, and even landmines surrounding his main residence, illustrating the scale and violence associated with his criminal empire.
The current situation in Mexico is described as schizophrenic, where tourists can visit seemingly normal and beautiful areas without noticing the underlying issues of violence and crime. This juxtaposition raises concerns about the effectiveness of ongoing efforts to combat drug-related violence, leaving citizens questioning whether the government's strategies will ever succeed in reducing the rampant criminal activities in the country.
