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Mexico will deploy around 100,000 police officers, soldiers and private security personnel to safeguard matches during the upcoming football World Cup, authorities said Friday as preparations intensify ahead of the tournament.
Officials revealed the security plan less than two weeks after cartel violence erupted in Guadalajara, one of the host cities.
The country will host 13 matches during the competition, which will run from Jun. 11 to Jul. 19 and will be jointly organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The tournament is expected to be the largest edition of the World Cup.
Guadalajara is scheduled to host four matches during the tournament as part of Mexico’s role in the tri-nation event.
Mexican officials and representatives from FIFA met on Wednesday to review security measures planned for the tournament. Federal Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said authorities examined operational strategies designed to protect the event. The meeting included members of Mexico’s Security Cabinet and officials from Mexico City as well as the states of Jalisco and Nuevo Leon.
President Claudia Sheinbaum also sought to reassure international visitors about safety during the tournament. "Security is guaranteed, and there is sufficient surveillance and inspection to ensure that absolutely no problems occur, so that it will be a great, peaceful World Cup where visitors come to have fun," Sheinbaum said during her daily press briefing.
Sheinbaum also held a phone call with FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week. Infantino expressed "full confidence" that Mexico would successfully co-host the World Cup despite the recent violence.
The unrest followed the killing of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military raid on a ranch near the city on Feb. 22.
After Oseguera’s death, cartel members launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the country. Roads were blocked across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states and vehicles and businesses were set on fire, including in the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco.
Authorities said at least 74 people died during the operation to capture the cartel leader and the clashes that followed between security forces and armed members of the criminal group.
Guadalajara remains one of the regions most affected by cartel-related violence. More than 12,575 people have been reported missing in the state, with many cases linked to kidnappings or killings by organized crime groups.
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