Guadalajara to Host World Cup Games Amid Rising Violence Concerns

Guadalajara Prepares for FIFA World Cup Amid Ongoing Violence and Cartel Activity

The city of Guadalajara in Mexico is gearing up to host four FIFA World Cup games this June and July, despite ongoing violence and cartel activity in the region. The Jalisco state government has announced plans to deploy advanced security measures, including drones, anti-drone equipment, and AI-driven video surveillance systems, to ensure public safety during the event.

The recent killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, has sparked widespread violence across Mexico. The cartel’s reaction to his death resulted in gunfire with security forces, killing at least 57 people, and highway blockades in 20 states. Authorities have suspended football games in Guadalajara and Queretaro, and several schools have been closed due to safety concerns.

According to official statistics, Jalisco is one of the states with the most reported missing persons in Mexico, with 12,575 cases filed so far. Disappearances are often linked to forced recruitment for criminal groups. Family members of disappeared individuals have uncovered hundreds of clandestine graves in their search for loved ones.

The city’s residents are anxious about hosting international events during a time of heightened violence and instability. Some have expressed concerns that tourists may be targeted by cartel groups. Authorities have discovered properties used by criminal organizations near the Akron Stadium, which is set to host World Cup games.

The government has assured that security measures will be in place to ensure public safety during the event. However, some residents remain skeptical, citing the need for more effective solutions to address the root causes of violence and disappearances in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera