The Mexican government has announced an immediate reinforcement of security at archaeological sites and tourist destinations following a shooting this past Monday at the Teotihuacán pyramids. The attack, carried out by a lone individual, resulted in the death of a Canadian tourist and left 13 others wounded, according to reports from aljazeera.com.
President Claudia Sheinbaum admitted that the archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, lacked sufficient security checkpoints to prevent the attack. The President described the event as an "isolated incident" that had not previously occurred in a public space of this nature.
Sheinbaum noted that the attacker appeared to be motivated by "external influences," specifically citing the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado. The President assured that her administration will take all necessary measures to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
Security Plan for the World Cup
Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch has ordered the immediate strengthening of security forces at key tourist hubs across the country. The plan includes an increased presence of the National Guard, intensified security checks, and the modernization of surveillance systems to identify potential threats, according to aljazeera.com.
This deployment comes less than two months before the start of the FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada. The government aims to project an image of stability following the violence recorded in Guadalajara this past February.
Authorities plan to deploy 100,000 security personnel across the three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The operation will involve more than 2,000 military vehicles, as well as the use of aircraft and drones to secure perimeters at airports and stadiums.
Despite the incident, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed "full confidence" in Mexico as a host nation. However, the shooting at Teotihuacán has reignited scrutiny regarding the state's ability to ensure the safety of visitors during the global tournament.
