MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican authorities returned the body of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” to his family after he was killed by the Mexican army last week, officials said on Saturday.
In a brief note on X, the Attorney General’s Office said that it handed over the body of El Mencho after completing all the necessary procedural protocols.
“Genetic tests were carried out to confirm that there were indeed blood ties between the person who requested the release and the deceased,” the organ said.
The killing of the country’s most powerful drug lord was met with a wave of retaliatory violence in some 20 states. More than 70 people were killed.
The violence has fueled fears that the bloodshed could hurt tourism ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year.
“I don’t think handing over the body to the family is going to recreate the havoc,” said David Mora, a senior analyst and Mexico expert at global think tank International Crisis Group.
“The violence that is going to come next is going to play out differently,” Mora added, pointing to the reorganization of the cartel following the decapitation of its leader and potential turf wars between smaller criminal groups.
The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which he ran, is one of the most powerful and fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico and began operating around 2009.
In February 2025, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
The drug lord’s death was the Mexican government’s biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration in its efforts to crack down on the cartels.
Newspapers hang on display for sale in Mexico City, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, a day after the Mexican army killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." (AP Photo/Jon Orbach)
MILAN (AP) — Romelu Lukaku's first goal of the season with the last kick of the match ended Napoli’s winless run on Saturday.
Lukaku, who had played just 41 minutes this campaign following a serious preseason thigh injury, pounced in the sixth minute of stoppage time to help Napoli win at bottom club Hellas Verona 2-1.
He appeared to tear up when the final whistle blew seconds later. His last goal was on May 23 followed by a terrible few months. Shortly after his torn thigh, his father died suddenly in September at 58.
“On a personal level soccer gives you a lot. It has given me everything but losing my father like I lost him weighs on me every day," Lukaku told DAZN while struggling to hold back tears. "But it is what it is and I carry on for my daughters, for my brother and for Napoli which has given me so much.
“Because before arriving at Napoli I was dead. Last year we did something wonderful, this year is a bit difficult for us, but we have to look forwards and do everything to finish as high as possible in the table.”
It was Napoli’s first win in four matches in all competitions. The defending Serie A champion remained third in the league table, 14 points below leader Inter Milan after the Nerazzurri beat Genoa 2-0.
Verona remained nine points from safety.
Napoli got off to a great start as Rasmus Højlund’s looping header from 12 meters gave it the lead after less than two minutes.
However, Højlund was also involved in the equalizer in the 65th. He attempted to clear a Verona corner but it came out to Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, whose shot was deflected in by Højlund. The goal was credited to Akpa Akpro as the initial shot was on target.
Verona almost won it in stoppage time but Kieron Bowie couldn’t keep his attempt on target after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret flapped aimlessly at a cross.
And instead it was Napoli which snatched the win. A corner was played short and eventually crossed in by Giovane for fellow substitute Lukaku to sweep in first time from close range.
Inter opened up a 13-point gap at the top of Serie A and rebounded from a disappointing Champions League exit to Bodø/Glimt midweek.
Federico Dimarco started and ended the move in the opening goal in the 31st. Dimarco found Henrikh Mkhitaryan and raced into the box to receive the lofted, return pass and volley in from an improbable angle.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu drilled a spot kick into the bottom right corner in the 70th after Genoa midfielder Alexsandro Amorim was penalized for handball.
Second-placed AC Milan visits Cremonese on Sunday then Milan hosts Inter in the city derby next weekend.
Earlier, Como came from behind to win at relegation-threatened Lecce 3-1.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Verona's Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Napoli in Verona, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Napoli in Verona, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku, centre back to the camera, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Napoli in Verona, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku, right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Napoli in Verona, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
