Mexico Sees Drop in Cartel Violence During World Cup

Mexico City recently hosted a World Cup match where Raul Jimenez scored a key goal for Mexico against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium. The event is part of a series of matches, as Mexico co-hosts the World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. According to reports, there has been a notable decline in cartel violence during this period.

Security analyst David Saucedo discussed this trend in an interview with Aristegui Noticias. He suggested that drug cartels might have agreed to a temporary ‘World Cup truce.’ While there is no formal evidence of such an agreement, prosecutors in areas heavily affected by cartels have reported fewer homicides since the tournament began.

On the day of Mexico’s opening match on June 11, Mexico recorded only 30 murders, marking the lowest daily count since October 2024. Five days later, the number fell further to 27, the lowest in ten years. Mexico City and Guadalajara, important venues for the event, reported minimal violent incidents, and Monterrey, with four matches scheduled, reported none.

This reduction in violence appears to coincide with a pause in significant law enforcement operations targeting cartel leaders. Saucedo noted that authorities are avoiding high-profile arrests to prevent any potential retaliation during the games.

Earlier in February, the atmosphere was tense following the death of cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera-Cervantes during a military operation. This event resulted in 70 deaths and significant unrest, casting doubt on Mexico’s capability to host the World Cup. Guadalajara responded to these threats by deploying around 15,000 security personnel, ensuring the safety of its host cities.