Violence erupted just under four months before the opening match of the World Cup in Mexico City between Mexico and South Africa.
The violence triggered by the killing of the most powerful drug lord has raised new security concerns just months before Mexico hosts the World Cup.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed on Sunday during a Mexican military operation to capture him.
Known as "El Mencho," Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in Tapalpa in the state of Jalisco, about two hours southwest of Guadalajara, and died while being flown to Mexico City.
According to authorities, more than 70 people died during and after the attempt to capture the drug lord, including security personnel, cartel members, and others.
Since then, violence has continued in the state of Jalisco and several other states in Mexico: cartel members are reportedly blocking highways with burning vehicles and setting businesses on fire.
In the town of Tapalpa, located in the mountains of Jalisco, store owner Maria Dolores Aguirre fears that the unrest will hurt her business and affect tourism.
Related Mexico Descends into Chaos: Outbreaks of Violence After the Killing of Drug Lord El Mencho "This will affect us. It’s collateral damage," said the 50-year-old woman.
"The government will have to increase security measures. The whole world just saw what happened, and of course, people will think twice about coming."
The capital of Jalisco, Guadalajara, will host four matches in the tournament this summer.
Another five games will take place in Mexico City, including the match between Mexico and South Africa, which will kick off on June 11, and four in Monterrey.
In domestic football, four matches—two in the top league and two in the second division—were postponed on Sunday due to the unrest.
Concerns About Further Bloodshed
Some security analysts warn that the killing of Oseguera Cervantes could lead to a prolonged period of instability and bloodshed as contenders seek to replace him.
However, Javier Escuariaza, a lecturer in criminal law at the University of Nottingham in England, told the BBC that cartels have an economic interest in ensuring the World Cup goes smoothly.
"Yes, they pay politicians and local police, but they also buy restaurants and own hotels," he said. "They are part of the economic system."
"It is in their interest for Brits, Americans, and others to come to Mexico, spend their money, and have a good time."
After the killing of Oseguera Cervantes, airlines Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico, and American Airlines temporarily suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, a resort city in Jalisco that has been heavily affected by cartel violence.
The drug lord's death came at a time when Mexico was ramping up its offensive against cartels in an attempt to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's demands to combat criminal organizations, who otherwise threatened to impose additional tariffs or take unilateral military action.
The White House confirmed that the U.S. provided intelligence support for the operation to capture the cartel leader and praised the Mexican army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.
CJNG is one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States, as well as for brazen attacks on Mexican officials.
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