Culiacán Sports Arena Event
Culiacán, Mexico (AP) — The atmosphere was subdued inside a local sports arena where budding amateur boxers, clad in oversized headgear, treaded carefully around the ring, throwing punches. Outside, the presence of a striking statue commemorating boxing icon Julio César Chávez loomed large, his arm raised in triumph. Although the event was orchestrated by a sibling of Chávez and the boxing legend was advertised as a special guest, he ultimately did not attend. The absence was particularly felt following a tumultuous week for his family.
Chávez Jr.’s Legal Troubles
On Wednesday, U.S. immigration authorities apprehended Chávez’s eldest son, Julio César Chávez Jr., at his Los Angeles residence, citing visa overstay and alleged deception on his green card application. More alarmingly, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed that an active arrest warrant exists for Chávez Jr. in Mexico, associated with serious allegations of arms and drug trafficking, alongside purported links to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. Consequently, he is set to face expedited removal proceedings.
The Legacy of Julio César Chávez
In Culiacán, the name Julio César Chávez resonates much like the legendary Diego Maradona does in Argentina, igniting conversation and admiration among the locals. Known affectionately as “The Legend,” Chávez is revered for rising from humble beginnings to become a national hero and a pinnacle of boxing excellence. However, conversations rapidly cool when the subject veers toward his son’s entanglements with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Changing Attitudes Towards the Cartel
Historically, discussions about the regional cartel took on a more open tone, with some residents even using euphemisms to reference it, all while feeling a level of safety under the cartel’s shadowy control. Yet, following a violent fallout between cartel factions linked to the high-profile kidnapping of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada by the offspring of former leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, there is now a palpable hesitation to engage on such topics.
Community Reactions
During the event Friday evening, mutterings about Chávez Jr.’s arrest permeated the crowd, albeit whispered amidst a wary ambiance. Local sports journalist Óscar Arrieta reflected on the significant shockwaves this incident sent throughout Culiacán, especially considering the weighty allegations that draw ties to organized crime. He pointedly noted that U.S. officials have not clarified these connections beyond mentioning Chávez Jr.’s marriage to the mother of Guzmán’s grandchild. Arrieta questioned why, given the existence of the arrest warrant since 2023, actions hadn’t been taken while Chávez Jr. remained a well-known public figure active on social media and training intensively for an upcoming match in California.
