Mexico's President Assures Safety for World Cup Visitors Amid Cartel Violence
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has assured that there is “no risk” for visitors attending the upcoming FIFA games in the country, following the death of a prominent drug cartel leader that incited retaliatory violence across Mexico.
The Mexican military engaged in an operation that resulted in a firefight, during which the notorious cartel boss known as El Mencho was fatally wounded. He later died while being airlifted to a hospital.
El Mencho’s followers, whose real name is Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, immediately responded by taking to the streets, blocking nearly 100 major roads and attacking National Guard bases, particularly in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. The clashes resulted in the deaths of at least 25 soldiers and 34 cartel gunmen.
By Monday, the violence had largely subsided, though local media reported incidents of violence in several rural municipalities of Jalisco state during the night on Monday.
World Cup Host Cities and Security Measures
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is scheduled to host four World Cup games. The tournament, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada, will also feature matches in Monterrey and Mexico City, the latter at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
During her daily press conference on Tuesday, Sheinbaum stated that there are
“all the guarantees”for the World Cup to proceed safely in Mexico.
Both Guadalajara and the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, which were largely shut down due to the violence on Sunday, are gradually reopening this week.
Sheinbaum commented,
“Little by little the situation [in Jalisco] is returning to normal.”
A FIFA spokesperson said on Monday,
“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities.”
Legal Action Considered Against Elon Musk
Sheinbaum also indicated she was contemplating legal action against tech billionaire Elon Musk after he alleged on Monday that she took orders from drug traffickers, echoing former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Mexico is “run by cartels.”
Following the killing of El Mencho, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a 2025 video of Sheinbaum discussing cartel violence, claiming she was
“taking orders from the cartels.”
In the video clip, Sheinbaum stated that a return to a
“war on drugs”was not an option.
She said,
“The war against the narco is outside of the law. Because it is permission to kill without any trial.”
Context of Cartel Violence and Government Response
Historically, Mexico’s drug cartels have experienced leadership changes as their lieutenants fight to take control. This dynamic is widely believed to have contributed to the high homicide rate in Mexico since former president Felipe Calderón launched a military offensive against cartels 20 years ago.
However, Sheinbaum rejected comparisons between the operation that resulted in El Mencho’s death and the security policies of her predecessor.
She explained,
“A situation arose in which, during the arrest of a member of an organised crime group who had an arrest warrant out against him, members of the army were attacked and responded, and he died during transport.”
She added,
“We’re looking for peace, not war. That is the difference.”
