By Kwame Bediako
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged full security guarantees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, dismissing fan safety concerns amid fresh cartel violence.
Her comments came after the dramatic capture and death of notorious cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” sparking roadblocks, arson, and clashes in Jalisco and beyond.
Sheinbaum insisted there is “no risk” to visitors, with matches slated for Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
FIFA affirmed its monitoring the unrest closely while coordinating with authorities to ensure public safety and a swift return to normalcy.
Local leagues halted fixtures in response to the coordinated attacks post-El Mencho operation, but Sheinbaum noted conditions are stabilizing, despite lingering overnight roadblocks cleared by deployed security forces.
Sheinbaum emphasized her government’s strategy: prioritizing peace and addressing violence’s root causes over escalation.
This approach aims to shield the tournament, where Mexico will host 13 of 104 matches, including four in Guadalajara plus warm-up games ahead of the June 11 kickoff.
The upheaval underscores Mexico’s ongoing battle with cartels, even as the nation gears up for a global spotlight shared with the US and Canada.
