City in Mexico thanks fugitive cartel leader “El Mencho” for gifts for children, prompting investigation

Mexico’s president said on Monday that prosecutors were investigating officials in the city where a sign was put up to thank the drug lord – who has $15 million prize on the head in the US — for holiday gifts for children.

In the past, drug cartels in Mexico often distributed gifts or bags of food to the local population during the holidays, to try to improve their image or build local support. Cartels often want locals to warn them of military attacks, but at the same time gangs usually extort money for protection from locals.

Videos posted on social media last week from the town of Coalcomana, in the western state Michoacanhe showed the sign at the Christmas market thanking The Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera — better known by his nickname “El Mencho” — for gifts.

“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,” the sign read.

A speaker on the loudspeaker repeated the message, but it was not clear how involved or aware local officials were of the message, or whether they approved it. Such fairs are often partly organized by civic, neighborhood or other groups.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that local officials are being investigated for a possible connection to the sign.

“Obviously we condemn these signs,” she said. “A criminal group cannot hold a public event to promote the acceptance of violence.”

Sheinbaum said federal prosecutors are looking into whether the mayor has “affiliations with criminal gangs or who put up this sign.”

“El Mencho” has also been indicted in the United States, and the State Department increased his reward this month 15 million dollars for his capture. Last month he was the son-in-law of the cartel leader arrested in California after US officials said he faked his own death to “live a life of luxury” north of the border.

In areas of Michoacan along the Michoacan border dominated by the powerful Jalisco Cartel, it is not unusual to see signs of gang control.

The cartel set up checkpoints on roads in the area and attacked its rivals with roadside bombs and bomb-dropping drones, while also donating trampolines for local children. Cartels have also forced some local residents to join demonstrations against military operations.

The Mexican government’s policy of not confronting the cartels has often left local officials in the uncomfortable position of having to deal with local gangs, and in some cases even handing over a portion of the municipal budget to them.

Sometimes local officials are even implicated in the murders. Just last month, former prosecutor and local police official Germán Reyes was arrested regarding grisly beheading the mayor October 6. The implication was that Reyes — who was also a former Army officer who, according to his official resume, retired with the rank of captain in the military justice system — was somehow working in cahoots with the gang.