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>Authorities in Mexico confirmed Monday that a “lucha libre” wrestler had been found dead over the weekend in the north-central state of Guanajuato.
>The state prosecutors’ office said the body of a wrestler known as “Maremoto,” or “Tidal Wave,” had been found dumped behind a National Guard barracks Saturday in the city of Irapuato.
>The prosecutors’ office had earlier confirmed the death of “Lepra.” Local media gave his real name as Salvador Garcia, and said he may have worked a day job in the municipal government of Irapuato.
>Both men were reported abducted in Irapuato last week.
>Over the weekend, photos circulated on social media of a banner signed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel that was found near one of the bodies.
>The banner accused the two men — along with a third wrestler known by his stage name “Juventud Rebelde” who was gunned down in May — of working for a rival gang. The Jalisco cartel is known by its initials, CJNG.
>“To the colleagues of the Lucha Libre profession, the CJNG has nothing against you personally,” the banner read.
>The banner claimed they were involved with the Santa Rosa de Lima gang, which has been fighting turf battles against the Jalisco cartel in Guanajuato for years.
>Lucha libre has suffered in recent years, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, when almost all matches were cancelled, and an unusually high number if wrestlers died of COVID-19. But unlike norteño musicians, lucha libre wrestlers had until now largely escaped drug cartel violence.
