Violence in Querétaro: Cartel members allegedly infiltrated local soccer fan section

Mexican authorities are investigating the possible infiltration of organized crime amongst the fans of the Queretaro and Atlas soccer fan sections after violent clashes rocked the Corregidora Stadium on Saturday. According to preliminary police reports, the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation (CJNG) may have been involved.

Users took to social media to report that they had spotted various gang members present at the stadium. El Herón, an alleged CJNG member, was also allegedly seen hanging around the Barra 51, Atlas’ fan section, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported.

Following Saturday’s events, the state prosecutors’ offices from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Querétaro opened separate investigations into the matter. Initial findings show that several victims were stripped of their clothes and publicly humiliated – one of CJNG’s playbook tactics.

Querétaro authorities are also exploring the possibility that El Beto, a Los Gallos fan and infamous gang member, went to the stadium with his group to ambush his CJNG rivals active in Atlas's Barra 51.

A series of fights broke out at the Corregidora stadium on Saturday that began in the stands, moved onto the field and spread outside the stadium. The governor of Queretaro, Mauricio Kuri, reported that 26 people were injured, 23 of whom were hospitalized. As of Monday, 19 of them had been discharged.

Witnesses explained to local police that some members of the barra known as the Resistance, which supports the local Querétaro team, initiated the attack, La Opinion reported.