El Mencho Death: What It Means for Events and Sports Today

On Sunday, Feb. 22, Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, ⁠known as "El Mencho," was been killed in a military operation in Mexico, according to a news report from Reuters.

Two ​government sources familiar with the operation told Reuters the news on Sunday, adding that the move was part of an effort from the Mexican government add ‌pressure on local cartels following the U.S. ‌says the country may get involved.

Now, the area of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico is dealing with disorder, with Reuters reporting that "videos on social media showed ​cars ablaze, sending dark smoke into the sky, on roads in Jalisco. ‌Mexican media outlets reported burning vehicles and ​gunmen blocking highways in ​more than half a dozen states across the country, particularly in the north and northwest."

So, what does this mean for international sporting events and other events planned in the area and even around the world?

Sporting and Other Events: No Confirmed Olympic or Major Sports Cancelations Linked to El Mencho's Death, So Far

So far, no changes to major sporting or other events have been confirmed due to El Mencho's reported death in Mexico or around the world. As of the 2026 Olympic closing ceremony starting on Sunday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other major sports governing bodies have not announced event disruptions or changes related to the news.

The Olympics, of course, are planned years in advance, so short-term issues such as this one don't usually cause any changes, especially since the Games are taking place in Italy.

But, there's certainly precedent for sporting events to be canceled due to this death. Back in 2022, Liga MX, a Mexican soccer league, postponed a match due to cartel-linked violence in Ciudad Juárez, according to release from ESPN. The move came to ensure the safety of the fans in the stands and players on the field.

"Given the circumstances that our city is going through, it was determined in conjunction with the LIGA BBVA MX to reschedule our corresponding match for Week 8," a statement from FC Juarez about the postponement read at the time.

So, events such as El Mencho's death do have real-life effects, and it's possible that over the next few days, local and even international events will be canceled, especially if there are security warnings.

Also, it's worth noting that Air Canada said on Sunday, according to the Reuters report, that it's temporarily suspended operations in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta, because of the ongoing security situation.