More than a century apart, two posters tell the story of the United States’ most wanted men in Mexico.
The first, dated March 9, 1916 — exactly 110 years ago this week — offers US$5,000 for Pancho Villa following his deadly raid on Columbus, New Mexico that killed 17 Americans.
The second, updated last year by the U.S. State Department, promises US$15 million for Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the cartel kingpin killed on February 22 in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
Villa’s dramatic March 9 attack on U.S. soil — when 500 fighters attacked the 13th Cavalry garrison at Camp Furlong — marked the last time foreign soldiers invaded the continental United States. What motivated Villa’s incursion was his outrage at President Wilson’s decision to recognize his rival, Venustiano Carranza, as the leader of Mexico. Wilson immediately ordered a punitive expedition that hunted Villa for 11 months without success.
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