In response to a recent shooting at a popular tourist site, the Mexican government has announced plans to increase security measures at renowned destinations. This decision follows an incident at the Teotihuacan pyramids near Mexico City, where a gunman opened fire on tourists, tragically resulting in the death of a Canadian visitor and injuring several others. The attack occurred just weeks before the FIFA World Cup, an event Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada next summer.

The Teotihuacan pyramids, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among Mexico’s most visited attractions. The shooting has prompted concerns over visitor safety, especially as the country prepares to welcome international guests for the World Cup. President Claudia Sheinbaum faced a barrage of questions regarding the security measures her administration is implementing to ensure safety during the tournament.

Located approximately an hour from Mexico City, Teotihuacan was expected to be a highlight for tourists during the World Cup festivities. In anticipation, local lawmakers had recently proposed the revival of a nighttime interactive light show at the pyramids, an event that had been paused since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This shocking incident puts a spotlight on security challenges in Mexico, as President Sheinbaum’s administration strives to reassure both citizens and international visitors of their safety. This comes in the wake of cartel-related violence earlier this year in Guadalajara, another World Cup host city.

Security expert David Saucedo commented on the situation, noting that such events exacerbate Mexico’s reputation for security issues, potentially undermining the government’s efforts to portray the country as a safe destination.

“Events like this only further magnify the negative images that Mexico has on security issues, undermining the narrative that President Sheinbaum is trying to build that Mexico is a safe country,” said Mexican security analyst David Saucedo.

‘An isolated incident’

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum acknowledged that the archaeological site lacked security filters to prevent the attack in part, she said, because the shooting “was an isolated incident” that hasn’t occurred before in such a public space.

While Mexico suffers from cartel violence, especially in strategic and rural areas, mass shootings in public spaces are rare in Mexico compared to the U.S., where it is much easier to legally obtain a gun.

She noted that the shooter appeared to be motivated by “outside influences,” particularly the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know – Mexicans know – that this is something that had not previously taken place,” Sheinbaum said Tuesday morning.

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, the face of the government’s crackdown on cartels, said on Tuesday that security forces had been ordered to “immediately strengthen security” at archaeological sites and major tourist destinations across the country.

He said the government will increase the presence of Mexican National Guard, boost security checks at key sites and fortify surveillance systems to “identify and prevent any threats” against citizens and visitors.

Security concerns ahead of World Cup

The announcement was an effort by Mexican authorities to assuage ongoing concerns about violence in Mexico ahead of the tournament.

Sheinbaum’s government has touted security successes under her leadership. Homicides have dipped sharply since she taken office to the lowest levels in a decade, government figures show. The government has also taken out a number of top capos and highlighted a dip in fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border.

But they have hit hurdles in recent months, namely a burst a violence in Guadalajara in February, triggered by the killing of Mexico’s most powerful cartel boss. The bloodshed was met with a wave of concern by people in and outside of Mexico. Sheinbaum vowed there would be “no risk” for fans coming to the tournament and FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he had “full confidence” in Mexico as a host country. Sheinbaum later met with FIFA representatives to assess security for the World Cup matches to be played in Mexico.

Mexico’s government doubled down on security measures, which include deploying 100,000 security forces across the country, particularly concentrated in the country’s three host cities, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Officials said it would deploy more than 2,000 military vehicles, as well as dozens of air crafts and drones, and establish security perimeters around areas like stadiums and airports in key cities.

“As you can see, we are very prepared for the World Cup,” Sheinbaum said in early March.

Despite the rare nature of the Monday shooting at the pyramids, the extreme act of violence reignited scrutiny by some about the government’s capacity to prevent violence during the soccer tournament, and once again boosted pressures on the government.

FIFA was approached for comment about the pyramid shooting, but the soccer body typically does not address security issues and incidents that happen away from tournament venues.

Saucedo, the security analyst, said that pressures to concentrate security in host cities and tourist areas like Teotihuacan may come at the expense of other more crime-torn areas in greater need of police and military.

“Events like the one that took place yesterday in Teotihuacan clearly show that public safety agencies are overwhelmed,” he said.