Following the tragic deaths of four people during celebrations of Mexico’s victory over Ecuador, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured international visitors that the country is still a safe travel destination. Addressing the incident, Sheinbaum stood by the actions taken by Mexico City’s authorities and announced new measures aimed at improving the management of large crowds for future events. She urged that the unfortunate event should not deter tourists, emphasizing that Mexico remains a secure place to visit.
Her reassurances come in the wake of updated travel guidance from the United Kingdom, which advises its citizens to exercise caution during upcoming events linked to Mexico’s football matches. The advisory highlighted an increase in mobile phone thefts and incidents of drink spiking during crowded gatherings. Acknowledging these concerns, Sheinbaum noted that local authorities are already stepping up safety measures after Tuesday’s incident, where three individuals died from asphyxiation and another from a cardiac arrest amid a crowd exceeding one million near Paseo de la Reforma.
Sheinbaum revealed that the Mexico City government intends to install more large screens along Paseo de la Reforma to disperse spectators more evenly and prevent dangerous crowd densities. She also emphasized that security personnel, along with officials from the federal government and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, will continue to support and guide fans at future events. While managing such large crowds poses significant challenges, she stated that the focus remains on public guidance rather than trying to physically control over a million people.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada also announced enhancements to civil protection, healthcare, and public security measures ahead of the next major football celebration scheduled for Sunday. Despite the deployment of approximately 15,000 police officers, including over 4,200 stationed along Paseo de la Reforma, the previous event saw the largest public crowd ever recorded in the city’s history, with more than 1.4 million people in attendance. Brugada described the magnitude of the gathering and the challenges it presented.
City officials are now advising fans to celebrate at multiple locations instead of gathering solely around the Angel of Independence monument. They are also promoting responsible alcohol consumption and considering restrictions on alcohol sales in central areas during major public events. Additional crowd management and safety measures are expected to be announced before the weekend, as officials prepare for another significant turnout.