GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Hugo Alejandro Pérez was at his home, just a few miles from the stadium where FIFA World Cup matches are set to take place, when the sounds of gunshots and explosions erupted nearby.
The 53-year-old owner of a restaurant has long harbored doubts about hosting an international event in Guadalajara. He pointed out issues like the inadequate water service and ongoing cartel violence in Jalisco, which only seemed to intensify after the military’s operation that ended the life of a notorious cartel leader this week.
“I really don’t think the World Cup should occur here,” Pérez stated. “We have so many issues, and they want to invest in the World Cup? Given all the violence, it’s just not a good idea.”
On Tuesday, he joined others voicing concerns over Guadalajara’s capacity to host the upcoming summer soccer tournament. This was despite the government insisting, somewhat optimistically, that the international event—a collaboration between Mexico, the United States, and Canada—would proceed as planned.
President offers ‘every guarantee’ for World Cup
At her daily press briefing, President Claudia Sheinbaum assured everyone that “everything is guaranteed” regarding the safety of World Cup matches in Jalisco, stressing that fans would face “no risk” in attending.
Jalisco Governor Jesús Pablo Lemus echoed this sentiment during discussions with FIFA officials, emphasizing that the three venues for the World Cup would remain unchanged.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Football Federation indicated it would be monitoring the situation in Mexico closely. The Mexican national team is scheduled to play in a friendly on March 28 at the newly renovated Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which is set to host the opening match on June 11.
Jalisco, which has been increasingly scrutinized for severe cartel violence—such as last March’s grim discovery of murder scenes—now finds itself under the spotlight even more. This region, with Guadalajara as its capital, is associated with the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which suffered a significant blow with the death of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, during a military operation.
This operation, unfortunately, came at a high cost, leaving 70 casualties in its wake. As cartel gunmen set vehicles ablaze and blocked roads across Mexico, including in Jalisco, the government claimed to have the conflict under control.
The military’s actions come amid increased pressure from U.S. officials seeking a crackdown on organized crime, particularly on this swiftly rising cartel. The U.S. government confirmed its role in providing intelligence for the operation against Oseguera, who was on both nations’ most-wanted lists. U.S. President Donald Trump briefly referenced this in a recent address, mentioning the cartel kingpin’s downfall.
Death of drug lord could lead to more violence
Pérez remarked positively on Sheinbaum’s tougher stance on cartel violence compared to previous administrations, but also echoed concerns that local agencies lack the capacity to keep civilians safe.
“The absence of a clear successor within the CJNG could incite conflict and division,” Pérez noted, hinting at the unpredictability of future cartel dynamics.
Over the weekend, armed conflicts erupted between cartel members and military forces, impacting residents directly. Pérez recounted a harrowing experience as gunmen lit vehicles on fire just outside his home, compelling him to bring people indoors, as the chaos unfolded for over an hour.
Now, he questions the rationale behind hosting the World Cup, even though it’s only a short drive from his location. He would prefer funds from this event to be redirected towards local businesses in working-class neighborhoods like his own, highlighting a growing discontent that isn’t exclusive to just Guadalajara.
The World Cup is projected to generate a $3 billion economic impact for Mexico, as per the Mexican Football Federation.
“Honestly, it doesn’t benefit us as residents. Perhaps we should consider moving it to Monterrey or Mexico City. Right now, we’re just not convinced,” he expressed. “The situation isn’t safe enough for foreigners to come to Jalisco for events like this.”
On Monday, social media buzzed with warnings from foreign tourists caught in recent violence, with some declaring they would not return.
I hope things get back to normal
Despite the turmoil, life in Guadalajara began to return to normal on Tuesday, with businesses reopening after two days of closure and traffic flowing through the streets again.
Workers were present outside the soccer stadium, making repairs, while families enjoyed time at the park, and cyclists moved about outside the site of the upcoming matches.
Heavily armed police and National Guard members patrolled the area, a visible presence meant to reassure some locals that the government was on top of the situation.
Juan Carlos Pila, a taxi driver aged 55, said that after waiting for two days for things to settle, he began hearing reports that the situation perhaps wasn’t as dire as portrayed by social media and local news, which he felt could be exaggerating the violence.
“Everyone should come; everyone is welcome,” he stated enthusiastically.
Others like Maria Dolores Aguirre, who runs a longstanding corner shop in a mountain town in Jalisco, remain anxious about the impact of violence on tourism and their livelihoods. Her family business has thrived on the regular flow of visitors, but now she faces uncertainty.
“It’s going to affect us. It’s collateral damage,” Aguirre lamented. “The government will need to ensure tight security… The world has seen what happened and naturally, people will think twice before coming.”
