In this World Cup host city in Mexico, residents are feeling increasingly unsafe
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, one of its host cities in Mexico is facing growing safety concerns. Guadalajara, a city in Jalisco state known for its struggles with drug violence and numerous disappearances, has seen a sharp rise in perceived insecurity. According to a national public safety survey released Friday by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), 90.2% of residents now view the area as unsafe, up from 79.2% in December 2025. Inegi noted this increase as a “statistically significant difference.”
Impact of the Cartel’s Leader’s Death
The surge in insecurity follows an operation in February 2026, when federal forces arrested Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The group, labeled by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as one of Mexico’s “most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations,” was recently classified as a terrorist entity during President Donald Trump’s second term. “El Mencho” sustained critical injuries during the raid and passed away en route to the hospital, sparking widespread chaos and a spike in violence across Jalisco, including Guadalajara, Zapopan, and Puerto Vallarta.
“El Mencho” was seriously wounded in the operation and died en route to the hospital.
Regional Trends and Comparative Data
In Zapopan, a city within the Guadalajara metro area hosting World Cup matches, 70% of respondents said they felt unsafe in the latest survey, a 16-point jump from December’s 54%. Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort city, recorded the most dramatic increase nationally—28 percentage points—surging from 32% in December to 59.9% in the recent poll. This indicates nearly double the number of people reporting reduced safety compared to last year.
Guadalajara ranks second in the country for perceived insecurity, behind Irapuato (92.1%) in Guanajuato, another region battered by organized crime. In 2026, Guanajuato leads the national tally of violent deaths with 413 intentional homicides and five femicides reported so far. In Mexico City, the two districts near Banorte Stadium—hosting the World Cup for the third time—showed stable or slightly improved security perceptions. Coyoacán reported 44% unsafe residents, down from 47.2% in December, while Tlalpan edged up to 57.9% from 55.7%.
Monterrey’s Safety Perception
Monterrey, the third World Cup venue in Mexico and capital of Nuevo León, reported 59.7% of respondents feeling unsafe, a drop from 67.4% in December. The city of Guadalupe, where the Monterrey Stadium is located, also saw a decline in insecurity, falling from 44.2% to 37% in April.
CNN’s Michael Rios contributed to this report.
