SEJ launches virtual creative writing workshop for students

Reinforced security in the heart of the capital

The Angel of Independence and Paseo de la Reforma woke up on Sunday under an unprecedented security operation. Thousands of police and mayoral officials guarded the area prior to the World Cup round of 16 match between Mexico and England.

The measure responds to the death of four fans that occurred five days earlier, during the massive celebrations for Mexico’s victory against Ecuador. The capital authorities doubled the number of agents: 6,000 in Reforma —double than in the previous game—, 7,500 in the Azteca Stadium and 3,300 in the Zócalo.

Early on, hundreds of fans wearing green t-shirts and Mexican flags entered the area after security checks. Among them, the students Daniela Oliveros, 22, and Christopher Pino, 18, arrived from Chilpancingo, Guerrero.

“It’s going to be good,” said Pino, confident of victory. Oliveros was more cautious: “No matter what happens, we are going to be with the national team.”

Both supported the deployment. “I hope people behave well,” Pino said.

The events that motivated the operation

On the night of June 30, three people died from asphyxiation in the streets near Reforma: two women aged 19 and 44 and a man aged 48. In addition, a 35-year-old fan died in the hospital from cardiorespiratory arrest after suffering epilepsy and digestive bleeding. The capital’s Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the four deaths.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts a rapid evolution of the El Niño phenomenon towards a strong episode between July and September 2026. This will increase the probability of extreme events such as heat waves, droughts and intense rains in several regions of the world.

What implications does it have for Mexico?

The WMO monthly bulletin indicates that El Niño will continue to strengthen during the northern hemisphere autumn, extending its influence to many areas. In the equatorial Atlantic, temperatures will remain above average.

“We are already observing conditions typical of an El Niño episode, and they are expected to intensify until they become a strong episode,” warned Celeste Saulo, Secretary General of the WMO.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that El Niño occurs when temperatures in the tropical Pacific rise more than normal. The name, used by Peruvian fishermen, arose because the warming of the sea coincided with Christmas, affecting fishing.

Experts foresee uneven but clear impacts for Mexico:

• Increase in extreme rains in the central-north.
• Increased risk of intense hurricanes in the Pacific.
• Possible periods of drought in some regions.
• High risks for agriculture, water and security.
• Intensification of forest fires and effects on fishing.

The WMO insists that the international community must prepare for these events, as the probabilities of extreme events increase significantly in the coming months.

President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the triumph of Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro in the second stage of the Tour de France. Through her official account, the president wrote:

“Congratulations to Isaac del Toro for his victory in the second stage of the Tour de France.”

Victory on the hill of Montjuïc

Del Toro, 21, crossed the finish line first in Barcelona, beating his UAE Team Emirates teammate, Tadej Pogacar, who gave way to give him the win. The Slovenian Remco Evenepoel came third and the Dane Jonas Vingegaard, fourth, maintaining the yellow jersey. Mattias Skjelmose, also Danish, came within three seconds.

The Mexican participates for the first time in the Grande Boucle and his performance generated enthusiasm among national fans. The victory reinforces his projection in international cycling.

Sheinbaum highlighted the achievement at a key moment for Mexican sport, where cyclists gain visibility in high-level competitions.