A town in Mexico thanks fugitive cartel leader El Mencho for holiday gifts for children, sparking an investigation

Mexico’s president said Monday that prosecutors were investigating officials in a town where a banner thanking a drug lord – who has… $15 million reward On top in the United States – for holiday gifts for children.

In the past, drug cartels in Mexico would often distribute gifts or bags of food to local residents during the holidays, in an attempt to improve their image or build local support. Gangs often want local residents to warn them of army raids, but at the same time the gangs often extort protection money from local residents.

Video clips were posted on social media last week from the town of Colchoman in the western state of the country MichoacanShow your thanks banner at the Christmas fair Jalisco poster Chief Nemesio Oseguera – known by his nickname “El Mencho” -For gifts.

“The Colcoman children thank Mr. Nemesio Oseguera and his sons, ages 2, 3, and Delta 1, for their noble gesture. Thank you for your gifts,” the banner read.

A person speaking over a loudspeaker repeated that message, but it was not clear how involved or aware local officials were in the message, or whether they approved of it. Such fairs are often organized in part by civic, local, or other groups.

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

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

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether the city’s mayor “has ties to criminal groups, or who put up this sign,” Sheinbaum said.

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

In areas of Michoacán along the border with Michoacan that are 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, attacking their rivals with roadside bombs and drones, while at the same time donating trampolines to local children. The cartels also forced some local residents to join demonstrations against army operations.

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

Sometimes local officials are involved in murders. And just last month, former prosecutor and local police official German Reyes did as well Arrested In contact with horrific Beheading a mayor The implication was that Reyes — who was also a former military officer and who, according to his official biography, retired with the rank of captain in the military justice system — had somehow acted in collusion with a cartel.