Residents raise alarm as violence-hit Guadalajara to host World Cup games | World Cup 2026 News
Guadalajara Faces Increased Violence Ahead of FIFA World Cup
Guadalajara, Mexico—The city experienced a spike in violence over the weekend following the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military raid approximately 80 miles from the city. As Guadalajara prepares to host four matches in the FIFA World Cup this June and July, concerns over security have intensified.
In response to the recent unrest, the Jalisco state government has announced plans to deploy advanced security technologies, including drones, anti-drone systems, and artificial intelligence-driven surveillance. These measures come as the state grapples with an alarming rate of disappearances and the discovery of clandestine graves. Guadalajara ranks as one of the cities with the highest number of disappearances linked to drug-related violence in the country.
The violence erupted after Oseguera’s death on Sunday, leading to deadly confrontations with security forces that resulted in at least 57 fatalities, including soldiers and cartel members. The cartel’s retaliatory actions included gunfire and highway blockades that impacted 20 states. Consequently, authorities suspended football games across Guadalajara and in neighboring Querétaro.
On Monday, the streets of Guadalajara appeared deserted, as businesses closed and classes were canceled throughout Jalisco and in a dozen other states. Prior to the escalation of violence, local officials had described the city as “peaceful.”
Jalisco state reports show 12,575 individuals are officially listed as missing, with over half of those cases originating from the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Activists working to uncover the fates of their loved ones have discovered hundreds of clandestine graves.
Some community members have expressed concern about hosting the World Cup amid such turmoil. Carmen Ponce, whose brother went missing in 2020, remarked on the incongruity of celebration amid ongoing searches for the disappeared. “It seems like a pretty grotesque situation to me,” she said.
Residents worry that the impending global event may become a focal point for protests as families continue to seek their missing loved ones. Juan Carlos Contreras, who manages the city’s security camera network, indicated that community dissatisfaction with government responses could lead to unrest.
Economic impacts are also being felt, with tour guide Missael Robles reporting the cancellation of 25 tours since the violence escalated. “The economic blow is a big deal,” he stated.
Authorities have also found properties linked to criminal organizations near the Akron Stadium, the venue set to host World Cup matches. In a recent raid less than 1.2 miles from the stadium, law enforcement arrested two individuals on kidnapping charges.
Community member Jose Raul Servin, whose son has been missing since April 2018, voiced concerns over the safety of visitors during the World Cup. “We don’t want anything to happen, like what’s happened to us,” he said. Servin recalled fondly that his son was a passionate football fan and would have eagerly anticipated the tournament.
As the city braces for the world stage, local authorities are challenged not only to ensure security during the event but also to address the deep-rooted issues of violence and disappearances that continue to affect the community.
