Urgent meeting with FIFA: the script that no one mentions
The Mexican authorities met this Wednesday with representatives of FIFA. The official topic: review the intelligence and prevention protocols for the World Cup matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
But the unofficial script is more revealing. The meeting occurs just after the capture and death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, ‘El Mencho’, leader of the CJNG. And just after the wave of violence that devastated Jalisco and 19 other states.
“During the meeting, the intelligence, prevention and operational deployment protocols were reviewed,” said Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Federal Security.
A neat, almost aseptic statement. Nothing about the dozens of looted stores, the burned vehicles or the 252 road blockades reported last week. Nothing about the diving tournament canceled in Guadalajara for… reasons.
President Claudia Sheinbaum insists that security is guaranteed. He even says that Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, expressed his “full confidence” in him. Curious timing for a reassuring call.
Jalisco was the epicenter of chaos after the operation against ‘El Mencho’. Precisely one of the World Cup venues. Coincidence? In this country, matches usually have a last name.
Mexico will host 13 World Cup matches. Three host cities. Thousands of international fans. And a recent history that smells like burning gunpowder.
Protocol meetings are necessary, of course. But it would be more necessary to remember that papers hold up to anything. The reality, not so much.
