Outside Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, tensions erupted into violence on Thursday, disrupting the World Cup’s grand opening as protesters clashed with police.
Demonstrators shattered car windows and engaged in skirmishes with law enforcement just as Mexico celebrated the tournament’s inaugural goal, as reported by France24.
This upheaval comes after weeks of protests that have already put World Cup fan events in the Zócalo, the city’s main square, at risk.
Initially driven by teachers demanding better working conditions, the protests have expanded to include critics accusing the government of favoring international guests over addressing local citizens’ pressing needs.
The unrest places President Claudia Sheinbaum in a challenging position, having to manage a domestic security crisis while preparing for crucial trade negotiations with the United States scheduled for July.
“Mexico aims to present a global image that doesn’t quite align with reality,” noted Carlos Pérez Ricart, a political analyst at the Mexican Center for Research and Economic Education.
“The World Cup is putting the president in a vulnerable situation … The government is under extreme pressure.”
Wednesday night, over 1,000 people marched toward Estadio Azteca carrying candles and photographs of their missing loved ones and the teachers’ union blocked roads.
Sheinbaum denies that the World Cup is spurring unrest.
The president said before the tournament that “if for some reason the Zócalo cannot be used for the opening, there are 18 venues where people can watch it free of charge.”
“Everything is under control,” she added.
Local officials told demonstrators that they could only advance until the “last mile” outside of the stadium.
“We just want to be seen,” said Adriana Lozano, 56, from Los Cabos, who has searched for her missing son for nine years.
“What we are looking for is peace,” she continued.
“We want this to end because so many young people are disappearing.”
Expensive ticket prices have made attendance at the World Cup unaffordable for many Mexicans, like Dr. Jose Luis Muñoz, who remains excited for the game, but will support the Mexican national team from his living room instead of the stadium.
“The prices are sky-high,” Muñoz said.
“Many people aren’t going to be able to go unless they’re foreigners with a lot of money.”
“It feels very discriminatory.”
With Post wires
