Feb 28 • 03:24 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Fearing retaliation... Was the President of Mexico transferred to a warship?

A video claiming to show Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum being evacuated to a warship due to security concerns following a cartel leader's death has been verified as unrelated to recent events.

A video circulated on the platform X alleges that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was moved to a warship as a precautionary security measure after the killing of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as 'El Mencho.' The video garnered significant attention in light of the violent aftermath from the cartel leader's death, leading to speculation that the president may have been evacuated due to fear of retaliation attacks.

However, investigations by Al Jazeera's open-source unit revealed that the footage in question is not related to the recent security events. A reverse image search determined that the video dates back to February 1, 2026, which is three weeks before the cartel leader's death. This finding indicates that the claims surrounding the urgent evacuation of the president could be unfounded and potentially rooted in misinformation as the country faces growing security challenges due to increased cartel violence.

The incident underscores the fragility of Mexico's security situation and the potential for misinformation to further exacerbate public anxiety. As violence continues to rise post the demise of prominent cartel figures, authorities' responses—including the need for heightened security for public officials—remain under scrutiny, emphasizing the pressing need for effective law enforcement and public safety strategies in the face of organized crime.

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