Mexico Records Decade-Low Daily Murders During World Cup, No Major Arrests Reported

Mexico recorded 27 murders on June 16, the lowest daily total in a decade, according to government data. Mexico City and Guadalajara each reported one homicide that day, while Monterrey reported zero. Mexico is hosting 13 World Cup matches that began June 11.

On the opening day, Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and authorities recorded 30 murders nationwide—the lowest daily figure since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office in October 2024. Mexico City is hosting five matches, Guadalajara four, and Monterrey four. The three host cities together accounted for just two homicides on June 16.

Security analyst David Saucedo said drug cartels have declared an unofficial truce during the tournament. “It seems there is a sort of a World Cup truce,” Saucedo told Aristegui Noticias. Saucedo said cartels have reduced homicides to focus on other crimes.

“It appears that drug trafficking groups across the country decided to take advantage of the World Cup—not to escalate conflict, but rather to focus on their criminal activities and boost profits,” he said. Saucedo also noted the absence of major enforcement actions.

“There are no arrests of high-profile drug traffickers, no announcements of major seizures, and no significant operations against criminal organizations,” he said.

The cartels are “allowing the tournament to proceed without high-impact incidents or the capture of high-profile traffickers—events that would otherwise trigger retaliatory actions by the cartels against the federal government,” Saucedo said. Earlier this year, Jalisco New Generation Cartel founder Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera died on Feb. 22.

Clashes following his death left 70 people dead, and the cartel set vehicles and businesses on fire in response. U.S. government.