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

Mexico’s president said on Monday that prosecutors were investigating officials in the city where a sign was placed thanking the drug lord – who has a $15 million bounty on his head in the US – for holiday gifts for children.

In the past, drug organizations in Mexico often give gifts or food bags to local people during the holidays, to try to improve their image or build local support. These organizations often require local people to warn them of military raids, but at the same time gangs often extort protection money from local citizens.

The videos were posted on social media last week from the town of Coalcoman, in the western part of the province in Michoacanshowed the sign at the Thanksgiving Christmas show The Jalisco cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera — better known by his nickname “El Mencho” — with gifts.

“The children of Coalcoman thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their good deed. Thank you for your gifts,” the sign read.

The person speaking on the microphone repeated that message, but it is not clear how involved local officials were or knew about the message, or whether they approved it. Such fairs are often partly organized by communities, localities or other groups.

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

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

Sheinbaum said federal prosecutors are investigating whether the city’s mayor “has ties to organized crime, or whoever put this plan in place.”

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

In the areas of Michoacan along the border with Michoacan controlled by the powerful Jalisco group, it is not uncommon to see signs of this group’s control.

The cartel set up checkpoints on local roads, and attacked its rivals with roadside bombs and drones, while at the same time donating a trampoline for the children of local residents. These companies also forced some local residents to participate in protests against the operation of the military.

The Mexican government’s policy of not dealing with gangs often leaves local officials in the uncomfortable position of dealing with local gangs, and in some cases, handing over part of the municipal budget to them.

Sometimes local officials are involved in murder cases. Last month, former prosecutor and local police chief Germán Reyes you are arrested about grisly beheading of the mayor on Oct. 6. The implication was that Reyes — a former Army officer who, according to his resume, retired as a captain in the military justice system — somehow worked with the gang.