Social tensions exploded outside Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca soccer stadium on Thursday, as violent clashes between demonstrators and police marred the opening of the World Cup.
Protesters smashed vehicle windows and brawled with law enforcement just as Mexico netted the tournament’s first goal, according to France24.
The unrest follows weeks of demonstrations that have already jeopardized plans to host World Cup fan events in the Zócalo, the city’s central square.
While teachers have spearheaded the push for improved working conditions for weeks, other critics who have joined in more recently directly accuse the government of prioritizing international visitors over the immediate needs of local citizens.
The friction has put President Claudia Sheinbaum in a difficult spot, balancing a domestic security crises against high-stakes trade negotiations with the US set for July.
“Mexico wants to project an image to the world that doesn’t exactly square with reality,” said 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.”
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