Sheinbaum says Mexico has ‘all the guarantees’ for 2026 World Cup after cartel leader’s death sparks unrest
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said there is “no risk” to visitors and “all the guarantees” for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to proceed in the country, after the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader triggered roadblocks, arson and security clashes, notably in Jalisco state.
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Sheinbaum, speaking at a morning news conference, said the situation was continuing to normalize even as authorities dismantled several new roadblocks that appeared overnight. She said security forces were working to safeguard public security across affected areas.
FIFA said it was closely monitoring developments and staying in contact with Mexican authorities. A FIFA spokesperson told Reuters the organization would “continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy,” and reiterated its “close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.”
The government’s assurances follow a fresh bout of unrest sparked by the fatal wounding of cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera in a clash with soldiers. Oseguera died while being flown to Mexico City, officials said. The violence that followed mirrored recent episodes in Sinaloa state, where arrests of top cartel figures have drawn swift and sometimes coordinated retaliation, including shootouts and vehicles set ablaze.
Pressed on whether Oseguera’s killing signaled a break with the approach of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who emphasized addressing root causes of violence under the slogan “hugs, not bullets,” Sheinbaum said her government would not abandon the pursuit of peace. “The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war,” she said.
Mexico is set to host 13 of the 104 matches in the expanded 2026 World Cup, sharing duties with the United States and Canada. Games are scheduled for Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital, with four matches planned in Guadalajara. Mexico will also host some preliminary warm-up matches ahead of the tournament’s June 11 opening.
Sheinbaum’s assertion that visitors face “no risk” comes as local and federal forces work to reopen thoroughfares and extinguish fires set during the unrest. Authorities have emphasized that tournament planning—spanning stadium operations, transport corridors and fan zones—remains on track, with security coordination across federal, state and municipal levels embedded into World Cup preparations.
The stakes are high for host cities that expect a surge in international visitors and global attention. In Guadalajara, a key venue and recent flashpoint, business and tourism leaders have been pushing for clear timelines to restore full mobility and reassure travelers. National officials say those efforts are underway, with additional deployments positioned to keep major arteries and transit hubs functioning.
FIFA’s ongoing communication with Mexico underscores the governing body’s standard protocol ahead of large tournaments. While it did not signal any changes to scheduling, the organization said it would continue to “follow the actions and directions” of authorities to maintain public safety and “restore normalcy.”
For now, Sheinbaum is seeking to project stability and continuity as Mexico advances its World Cup planning. “All the guarantees” for the event, she said, remain in place.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
