Football Match Turns Deadly as Gunmen Open Fire in Central Mexico
At least eleven people have been killed and twelve others wounded after armed assailants launched a brutal attack at a football pitch in central Mexico yesterday, according to official reports. The shocking incident occurred in the city of Salamanca, located in Guanajuato state, which has been grappling with severe criminal violence.
Chaos at the Final Whistle in Salamanca
Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto detailed that the gunmen arrived at approximately 5:20pm local time, targeting a soccer field in the Loma de Flores community just as a match was concluding. Witnesses described a horrifying scene where several armed individuals disembarked from two pickup trucks and began firing indiscriminately at both players and spectators present at the venue.
Ten victims lost their lives immediately at the scene, with one more succumbing to injuries later at a hospital. Among the twelve injured are a woman and a minor, highlighting the attack's indiscriminate nature. Authorities confirmed that members of the Mexican National Guard were stationed in the area where the armed assault took place on January 25, yet were unable to prevent the tragedy.
Mayor Appeals for Help Amid 'Crime Wave'
Mayor Prieto characterised the assault as part of a disturbing 'crime wave' sweeping through Salamanca and made a direct appeal to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for assistance in controlling the escalating violence. 'Unfortunately, there are criminal groups trying to subjugate authorities, something they are not going to achieve,' Prieto stated, underscoring the challenges faced by local governance.
The Guanajuato state prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the massacre and is coordinating with federal authorities to reinforce security measures in the region. This response is critical given that Guanajuato recorded Mexico's highest homicide total last year, driven largely by violent conflicts between local gangs and powerful cartels.
Background of Cartel Violence in Guanajuato
The state has become a battleground for criminal organisations, notably with the Santa Rosa de Lima gang clashing repeatedly with the formidable Jalisco New Generation Cartel. These turf wars have contributed significantly to the area's high levels of bloodshed and instability, casting a shadow over community events like football matches.
While the Mexican government has reported that the country's 2025 murder rate is the lowest since 2016, at 17.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, analysts caution that these statistics may not fully capture the extent of violence plaguing regions such as Guanajuato. Incidents like the Salamanca football pitch shooting starkly illustrate the ongoing security crises that continue to affect daily life and public safety across Mexico.
