Learning English

(Photo by Leonardo Montecillo/Agencia Press South via Getty Images)

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Download a free worksheet!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The story

Nemesio Osegura Cervantes – known as 'El Mencho', head one the most important criminal organisations in Mexico, was killed by Mexican security forces on Sunday. Following his death, violence erupted across a number of Mexican states leading to the death of at least 74 people.

Over 9,500 troops have been deployed across the country in response to the violence. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that normality has returned, but several foreign governments are still warning against travel to some states.

The US government had offered a reward of $15m for information leading to El Mencho's capture.The Trump administration had declared El Mencho's group to be a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and committed themselves to their total elimination.

News headlines

Trump's 'total elimination' strategy paved way for fall of cartel kingpin 'El Mencho'
Fox News

Who was El Mencho, the former police officer who co-founded an ultraviolent cartel in Mexico?
The Guardian

World Cup matches in jeopardy after US coordinated hit on Mexican cartel boss
The Telegraph 

Key words and phrases

pave the way
make something possible

• Raising tax has paved the way for increased spending.

cartel
A large criminal organisation involved in the drug trade. Also, a group of companies that work together to keep prices high. 

• Authorities are working hard to eliminate drug cartels.

in jeopardy
at risk

• If you invest all your money, you might put your savings in jeopardy.

Next 

Discover more programmes to learn English from the News.

Find all our latest programmes.

Try Beating Speaking Anxiety - a series to help you boost your speaking confidence.