Mexico’s Disappeared: Efforts Intensify Ahead of 2026 World Cup to Address Missing Persons Crisis

As Guadalajara prepares to showcase its vibrant culture and hospitality to the world during the upcoming World Cup matches, the city grapples with deep-seated social challenges that overshadow this sporting celebration. With significant infrastructure projects underway to accommodate the influx of visitors, concerns about the ongoing crisis of disappearances in the region loom large, revealing a complex interplay between tourism ambitions and pressing human rights issues. This juxtaposition of festivity and sorrow serves as a stark reminder that while cities can transform for global events, they must also address their underlying struggles.

In the build-up to the much-anticipated World Cup matches in 2025, Guadalajara, Mexico’s cultural epicenter, is undergoing a rapid transformation as laborers work extensively to revamp the city’s infrastructure. Yet, this juxtaposition of progress comes with significant challenges; the bustling metropolis is grappling with the troubling reality of its status as the capital of Jalisco, a state with the highest number of unresolved disappearances in Mexico.

Currently, Jalisco’s official count of missing persons stands at nearly 16,000, contributing to a grim national total that exceeds 130,000. However, many families hesitate to report disappearances due to fear of repercussions, suggesting that the real figure may be even higher. As the World Cup draws nearer, local authorities are focused on polishing Guadalajara’s image, with discussions ongoing about the potential removal of the poignant portraits and signs from the “roundabout of the disappeared” to obscure the ongoing crisis.

During a visit, I walked to the roundabout, which lay just a few kilometers from my accommodations. Approaching the site, I noticed an increase in posters featuring the faces and identifying information of the disappeared, highlighted in bold on electric poles and sidewalk planters. These sorrowful reminders included 32-year-old Elda Adriana Valdez Montoya, who vanished on August 10, 2020, and 19-year-old Jordy Alejandro Cardenas Flores, last seen just a year prior in nearby Tlaquepaque. Tragically, these stories reflect a larger narrative of pain and loss that afflicts countless families in the region.

While many attribute the high rates of disappearances to violent drug cartels, including the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel, it is essential to recognize the government’s complicity in the matter. The phenomenon of enforced disappearances has persisted within the context of a flawed national security approach launched in 2006, which has resulted in over 460,000 homicides while failing to address the underlying drug issue. This military-driven strategy has often been enabled by external influences, particularly from the United States.

As local officials prioritize security for international visitors, citizens and activists are left questioning the safety measures put in place for families searching for their missing loved ones. Maribel Cedeno, a member of the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco, highlighted the stark contrast between government spending on World Cup preparations and the lack of support for families like hers, who continue to search relentlessly amid a climate of impunity.

Despite proactive measures to showcase a safer Guadalajara, reports of clandestine graves and other disturbing discoveries near the football stadium signal that the reality confronting many residents is much darker than what authorities might wish to reveal. Conversations with locals further underline the sentiment that the government’s focus on hosting the World Cup disregards the heartbreaking realities of families impacted by violence.

While the government undertakes efforts to sanitize public perceptions of Guadalajara ahead of the tournament, the urgency to address the crisis of disappearances remains critical. Authentic progress must emerge from the shadows of ongoing violence, ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard and acknowledged. It is this commitment to recognition and justice that will ultimately define the true legacy of the World Cup in Guadalajara—one that honors the memories of the disappeared and the resilience of those who continue to fight for their loved ones.

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