As Mexico revels in the excitement of co-hosting the World Cup, with vibrant outdoor celebrations transforming streets and fan zones in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, a starkly different reality is unfolding in other parts of the country. In numerous villages and towns grappling with persistent cartel violence, the global football spectacle is being experienced through a grim lens of fear, with cheers mostly confined indoors amidst daily threats.
The immediate, real-life concerns for safety far outweigh any excitement surrounding Mexico's progress to the knockout stage, casting a sombre shadow over the national jubilation. A lime grower from Michoacán, a state with a high concentration of warring criminal groups, told the Associated Press that while he enjoys football, he and his community are 'nervous'. He recounted how local cartels were launching explosives from drones at a nearby ranch during a recent World Cup match, a stark contrast to previous years when people would gather to watch games and place bets. 'There’s no party here, there’s only exhaustion,' he stated, speaking anonymously due to fears of reprisal.
Further north, in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa, nearly two years of violence fuelled by rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have created an atmosphere where public celebrations are rare. Instead of taking to the streets, many residents seek out quiet spots, gather at friends’ homes, or head to one of the few pubs showing matches, hoping to momentarily forget the violence shaping their lives. José Miguel Taniyama, a chef and restaurant owner in Culiacán, had hoped the World Cup would revitalise sales after an economic crisis caused by the fighting, which has led to the loss of nearly 60,000 jobs in Sinaloa according to official figures. However, for Mexico's opening game, only two tables were occupied, and while business improved slightly, it did not meet his expectations. He noted that as soon as matches conclude, 'people run home' due to the pervasive violence.
Similar scenes were reported in Poza Rica, an area on the Gulf of Mexico where cartel violence has recently intensified. Streets remained empty after Mexico's match against North Korea on June 18. Guillermo Núñez, a 28-year-old business owner and local footballer, observed that celebrations that once followed big games have largely disappeared due to fears of going out at night. He mentioned that two journalists were killed near his home this year, adding that 'the violence has stolen even the desire to go out and watch soccer'.
Despite these localised fears, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly emphasised the positive aspects of the World Cup, stating that 'people are happy, super happy'. She recently asserted that Mexico is sending a message of 'joy, happiness and excitement' to the world as it hosts the tournament. The United States Ambassador, Ronald Johnson, also lauded the collaboration between the two nations to ensure a successful World Cup, including the deployment of over 100,000 Mexican security forces nationwide. Some fans acknowledged that immersing themselves in the games offered a temporary escape from the country's painful experiences, with one fan, Juan Pablo de los Santos, remarking, 'We Mexicans know how to appreciate a victory because we’ve been through many very painful and humanitarian disastrous events.'
Source: Associated Press