Mexico Travel: Safety Concerns & Latest Updates (2024)
Fighting erupted across multiple Mexican states on Monday following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), prompting concerns about security ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to include matches in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
More than 70 people died in clashes between the CJNG and Mexican security forces, authorities reported. The violence spread beyond Jalisco, impacting states including Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Zacatecas, according to reports. Burned vehicles, including those at a Costco retail store in Puerto Vallarta, were documented, disrupting daily life and raising fears among residents and tourists.
The unrest has prompted FIFA to request on-the-ground reports from its team in Mexico, seeking further information and likely collaborating with the Mexican Football Federation and government officials, according to sources. A World Cup qualifying playoff event is scheduled for Estadio Akron in Guadalajara in late March, and the venue is slated to host four World Cup group stage games in June.
One senior FIFA official, speaking anonymously, expressed worry about the chaotic scenes unfolding across news channels and warned that the playoff games could be relocated if FIFA is not assured of the safety of all participants and stakeholders. However, a FIFA spokesperson later stated that it would be “inaccurate and misleading” to suggest significant concerns, asserting “full confidence” in Mexico, Canada, and the United States as World Cup hosts.
The Mexican National Guard has been deployed throughout Jalisco and surrounding areas, operating under a state of high alert. Despite the government’s efforts to restore order, residents like Maria Dolores Aguirre, a shop owner in Tapalpa, Jalisco, fear the violence will negatively impact tourism and the local economy. “It’s going to affect us. It’s collateral damage,” Aguirre said. “The entire world just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming.”
The White House confirmed it is monitoring the situation. The U.S. State Department has issued travel advisories for several Mexican states, urging U.S. Citizens to exercise increased caution. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
FIFA has not commented on specific contingency plans for relocating matches, stating it would not comment on “hypotheticals and speculation.”