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The United States Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert aimed at its citizens in the country, on the occasion of the match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5 at the Mexico City Stadium, within the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The diplomatic representation, headed by Ambassador Ronald Johnson, warned that during the tournament there have been large gatherings in stadiums, Fan Fests and public spaces, which has caused incidents at recent celebrations in the capital.

Embassy recommendations

In its message, the embassy recommended extreme precautions at mass events. He pointed out that gatherings to watch games and celebrations have caused injuries and even deaths, so he asked to be attentive to the environment and avoid risky situations.

The alert also included warnings about possible mobilizations and demonstrations during the event. He indicated that participating in political activities could lead to immigration arrests or sanctions under Mexican law.

During June, Mexico recorded an average of 40 intentional homicides per day, the lowest monthly figure since 2007, according to preliminary data from the federal government. Although at the beginning and end of the month there were days with more than 50 cases, the general trend was downward compared to the same period in 2025.

The impact of the World Cup

The decline coincided with the start of the 2026 Soccer World Cup. On the opening day in Mexico, only 30 homicides were recorded. Throughout the month, the numbers fluctuated, but remained below the historical average.

Entities with the highest incidence

Guanajuato topped the list of homicides with 124 victims. In contrast, the World Cup host states reported reductions: Nuevo León added 30, Jalisco 51 and Mexico City 59, all below the June 2025 figures.

Strategy and challenges

Federal authorities attribute the reduction to President Claudia Sheinbaum’s security strategy, which includes coordinated actions against organized crime and a greater police presence. However, civil organizations point out that problems persist in the registration of other crimes, such as disappearances and femicides.

Violence against the press in Mexico

Since 2000, 178 journalists and communicators have been deprived of their lives in Mexico, according to data from the organization Article 19. The most recent case is that of Roxana Berenice Guzmán Ramírez, who was found dead more than a month after her disappearance in Veracruz.

Veracruz is the most violent entity for the press with 34 fatalities, followed by Guerrero with 19. Chihuahua, Oaxaca and Tamaulipas register 15 each. Of the total, 165 were men and 13 women.

The most lethal six-year term was that of Felipe Calderón (2006-2012) with 48 homicides. They are followed by the governments of Enrique Peña Nieto and Andrés Manuel López Obrador, with 47 each. In contrast, seven states did not report fatalities in the same period: Aguascalientes, Campeche, Colima, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Tlaxcala and Yucatán.

Article 19 has called on authorities to guarantee justice and strengthen protection mechanisms. Impunity continues to be a key factor that aggravates violence against the press in Mexico.