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President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the probability of meeting with King Felipe VI during the monarch’s visit to Mexico is high. The reason for the royal trip is the friendly match between the Spanish and Uruguayan national teams, scheduled for June 26 in Guadalajara.

“Yes, it is likely so. He is still in Foreign Relations with the Foreign Ministry of Spain, the representation of the Spanish State. And I already believe that tomorrow or the day after we will inform him,” Sheinbaum responded from his morning conference.

The president announced that the meeting would take place in Mexico City, not in Guadalajara, where the match is played. Diplomatic talks between both foreign ministries continue to define the details.

Bilateral context

If it takes place, it would be one of the highest level meetings between Mexico and Spain in the midst of the redefinition of the bilateral relationship promoted by the Sheinbaum administration. It is worth remembering that the president recently traveled to Barcelona to participate in a summit of left-wing countries, where she met with the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez.

Almost four months after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”, the Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch, affirmed that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has sustained its operation through already established regional leaders. That structure, he said, prevented an escalation of violence.

CJNG operation after the death of ‘El Mencho’

During the morning conference at the National Palace, the official explained that the authorities identified a clear territorial division within the group.

“They have very identified regional leaders, with very marked territories. That also allowed in one way or another that there was no lack of control or excessive violence,” he noted.

García Harfuch indicated that after the death of Oseguera Cervantes, the federal forces continued with operations and captures of relevant members.

“Subsequently, there continued to be arrests by the Security, Defense and Navy Cabinet, and regional leaders continue to have arrest warrants; some for extradition purposes,” he explained.

Regarding the links with the Sinaloa Cartel, the secretary maintained that the main connection was “Mencho” himself with one of its factions.

“Mainly it was the leader himself, the main leader, who was the direct link with a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, specifically with Los Chapos. We have not identified that at the moment,” he stated.

Asked if Juan Carlos Valencia González, stepson of Oseguera Cervantes, assumed leadership – as reported by an American media in April – García Harfuch recognized him as one of the most relevant commanders.

“He is definitely one of the strongest regional leaders that the criminal group has,” he said.

The secretary also presented an assessment of the security operation for the World Cup. He said that it has worked successfully throughout the country, with coordinated work with the federal entities. “At the moment we are doing well in all the states of the Republic and we will continue that way,” he concluded.

Short and long term Air Force plan

The head of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, confirmed that the Army, the Air Force and the National Guard have a development plan for aircraft. It includes short, medium and long-term acquisitions, with emphasis on cargo aircraft, personnel transport and helicopters.

“We give priority to cargo aircraft, personnel transport and helicopters. We apply them a lot in the DN-III-E Plan and in operations,” he said during the morning conference on July 16.

The plan also includes a military equipment and industry factory to supply the dependencies. In the long term, until 2050, the replacement of the F-5 aircraft, acquired in 1982, is planned. Of a fleet of 10, only three are still in operation.

Sedena began the search for replacements for the F-5. Federal sources indicated that it plans to acquire 12 new fighters before 2028 to reinforce airspace surveillance. Among the options, the Swedish Gripen E and F fighters, from the Saab company, stand out, with a cost of more than 100 million dollars per unit. The Air Force has already received a presentation of these aircraft, which offer advanced radar technology and low maintenance costs.

The acquisition takes place in a tense geopolitical context, with conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, and tensions between Israel, the United States and Iran. Sedena evaluates options in the international defense market to meet the established deadlines.