The Mexican government announced an increase in security measures at tourist sites following a shooting at the pyramids near Mexico City, occurring less than two months before the FIFA World Cup. The incident on Monday involved a lone gunman who opened fire from atop one of the Teotihuacan pyramids, a UNESCO Heritage Site and a major tourist destination in Mexico. The attack resulted in the death of one Canadian tourist and injuries to twelve others.
The shooting prompted a series of inquiries from reporters directed at Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding the security strategies being implemented ahead of the World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada this summer.
Located about an hour from Mexico City, Teotihuacan was expected to be a significant site for visitors during the World Cup festivities. Just days before the shooting, local officials had proposed reviving a nighttime light show at the pyramids for World Cup attendees, a spectacle previously halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This violent episode comes as Sheinbaum’s administration has been working diligently to promote an image of safety for the upcoming soccer tournament, especially following a surge of cartel violence in February in Guadalajara, one of the World Cup host cities.
“Events like this only further magnify the negative images that Mexico has on security issues, undermining the narrative that President Sheinbaum is trying to build that Mexico is a safe country,” commented Mexican security analyst David Saucedo.
‘An isolated incident’
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum acknowledged the lack of security measures at the archaeological site, attributing this to the belief that the shooting was an “isolated incident” with no precedent in such a public area. Although Mexico faces cartel violence, particularly in strategic and rural regions, mass shootings in public spaces are less common compared to the United States, where acquiring a gun is generally easier.
Sheinbaum suggested the shooter might have been influenced by “outside influences,” including the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado. “Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know — Mexicans know — that this is something that had not previously taken place,” Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday morning.
Mexican Security Secretary Omar GarcÃa Harfuch, known for leading the government’s crackdown on cartels, announced that security forces were instructed to “immediately strengthen security” at archaeological sites and major tourist attractions nationwide. The government plans to increase the presence of the Mexican National Guard, enhance security checks at key locations, and reinforce surveillance systems to “identify and prevent any threats” to both citizens and tourists.
Security concerns ahead of World Cup
This announcement aimed to alleviate ongoing concerns about violence in Mexico as the World Cup approaches.
Under Sheinbaum’s leadership, the government has highlighted its success in reducing homicides to the lowest levels in a decade, according to government data. Additionally, the administration has targeted key cartel leaders and reported a decrease in fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border.
However, recent months have seen challenges, notably a burst of violence in Guadalajara in February following the assassination of Mexico’s most influential cartel leader. This bloodshed sparked a wave of concern both within and outside Mexico. Sheinbaum assured there would be “no risk” for World Cup fans, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed “full confidence” in Mexico as a host. Sheinbaum later met with FIFA representatives to discuss security for the matches scheduled in Mexico.
In response, Mexico’s government has implemented extensive security measures, deploying 100,000 security personnel nationwide, with a focus on the three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. They plan to utilize over 2,000 military vehicles, numerous aircraft and drones, and establish security perimeters around stadiums and airports in key locations.
“As you can see, we are very prepared for the World Cup,” Sheinbaum stated in early March.
Despite the rarity of the shooting at the pyramids, this extreme act of violence has reignited scrutiny over the government’s ability to prevent violence during the soccer tournament, further increasing pressure on officials.
FIFA was contacted for comment regarding the pyramid shooting, but the organization typically refrains from addressing security issues outside official tournament venues.
Saucedo, the security analyst, noted that focusing security efforts on host cities and tourist areas like Teotihuacan might divert resources from other high-crime areas in greater need of police and military presence. “Events like the one that took place yesterday in Teotihuacan clearly show that public safety agencies are overwhelmed,” he said.
