MEXICO CITY — On Monday, the President of Mexico announced that an investigation is underway regarding local officials in a town where a sign surfaced, expressing gratitude to a drug lord for providing holiday gifts to children.
Historically, Mexican drug cartels have distributed gifts or food packages to local communities during holiday seasons. This tactic is often employed to enhance their reputation and gain support from the locals. In return, these cartels often seek information from community members about military operations in the area while simultaneously demanding extortion payments.
Last week, videos circulated on social media from the town of Coalcoman, located in Michoacan. These videos displayed a sign at a Christmas market thanking the Jalisco cartel’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera, commonly referred to as “El Mencho,” for his generous donations.
The sign read, “The children of Coalcoman thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their noble gesture. Thank you for your gifts.” A voice over a loudspeaker echoed this message, although it remains uncertain how local officials were involved or aware of this acknowledgement, as community fairs are typically organized by various civic or neighborhood groups.
President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the actions of local officials are subject to investigation regarding any potential connections to the signage. “We obviously condemn these signs,” she articulated. “A criminal organization should not be able to host public events that seek to normalize violence.”
Sheinbaum also stated that federal prosecutors are looking into whether the town’s mayor has any affiliations with criminal organizations or who was responsible for displaying the sign.
In regions of Michoacan, particularly those controlled by the influential Jalisco cartel along the border, it is common to witness overt indications of the cartel’s dominance. The cartel has established checkpoints on regional roads and has executed attacks against rival groups using improvised explosive devices and drones, while also providing recreational equipment like trampolines to local children. Additionally, they have reportedly coerced some residents into participating in protests against government military actions.
The Mexican government’s approach of not directly confronting these cartels often places local officials in precarious situations, forcing them to negotiate with gang members, and in some instances, allocate portions of their municipal budgets to these criminal enterprises.
