Mexico’s Jalisco cartel allegedly kills 2 “lucha libre” wrestlers

Authorities in Mexico confirmed Monday {that a} “lucha libre” wrestler had been discovered lifeless over the weekend within the north-central state of Guanajuato. The state prosecutors’ workplace mentioned the physique of a wrestler often known as “Maremoto,” or “Tidal Wave,” had been discovered dumped behind a National Guard barracks Saturday within the metropolis of Irapuato.

Local skilled wrestling promotors canceled a deliberate match Sunday, citing the demise of “Maremoto” and one other wrestler identified by his ring identify, “Lepra,” or “Leprosy.”

“Out of respect for the relatives of our colleagues Lepra and Maremoto, and as a sign of mourning, our event Sunday Aug. 28 is canceled,” match promotors Promociones Freseros Brothers said in statement.

The prosecutors’ workplace had earlier confirmed the demise of “Lepra.” Local media gave his actual identify as Salvador Garcia and mentioned he could have labored a day job within the municipal authorities of Irapuato.

Because the game isn’t well-paid, at the very least on the native degree, many wrestlers work day jobs.

Both males had been reported kidnapped in Irapuato final week.

Over the weekend, pictures circulated on social media of a banner signed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel that was discovered close to one of many our bodies.

The banner accused the 2 males — together with a 3rd wrestler identified by his stage identify “Juventud Rebelde” who was gunned down in May — of working for a rival gang. The Jalisco cartel is thought by its initials, CJNG.

“To the colleagues of the Lucha Libre profession, the CJNG has nothing against you personally,” the banner learn. “The events involving Juventud Rebelde ‘Jerry,’ Lepra Salvador and Maremoto were direct attacks.”

The banner claimed they had been concerned with the Santa Rosa de Lima gang, which has been combating turf battles in opposition to the Jalisco cartel in Guanajuato for years.

Lucha libre has suffered lately, particularly through the coronavirus pandemic, when nearly all matches had been canceled, and an unusually excessive variety of wrestlers died of COVID-19. But not like norteño musicians, lucha libre wrestlers had till now largely escaped drug cartel violence.

Lucha libre wrestling is a quintessentially Mexican pastime. It’s the second most-followed sport within the nation, after soccer.

The sport options theatrical stunts and a convention of “rudos” — villainous, rule-breaking dangerous guys — and “tecnicos” — the good-looking good guys.

In May, Mexican authorities introduced they captured a suspected chief of the CJNG. Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez, often known as “El Señorón” or “XL” or “Frank,” was apprehended within the vacationer metropolis of Mazatlan, within the northwest state of Sinaloa, in an operation carried out by navy brokers.

Mexico has been trapped in a spiral of cartel-related violence that has left greater than 340,000 lifeless since 2006, when the federal government launched a controversial anti-drug operation with federal troops.

In April, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed that Mexico had dissolved a particular unit educated by U.S. authorities to combat drug cartels as a result of it was infiltrated by criminals.