MEXICO CITY (AFP) – A Mexican mayor is under investigation for possible criminal links after public thanks were offered to a notorious cartel leader for giving gifts to children, President Claudia Sheinbaum said last Monday.
One of the world’s most wanted drug lords, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera leads the ultra-violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, with the US Drug Enforcement Administration offering a reward of up to USD15 million for his arrest.
But in a small town in Mexico’s western state of Michoacan, a sign was erected during a public event saying: “The children of Coalcoman thank Mr Nemesio Oseguera and his children… for their noble gesture. Thank you for your gifts,” Mexican media reported.
Sheinbaum told a news conference that “an investigation is being carried out into whether or not the mayor (Anavel Avila) has any ties to this criminal group,” and why the sign was erected.
“We obviously condemn these banners,” she said.
“We are against any advocacy for these criminal groups,” she added.
