At least 11 people were killed and 12 others seriously injured following an armed attack at a football field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, according to local authorities. The shooting occurred in the municipality of Salamanca, where gunmen opened fire on people gathered at the sports facility, triggering a large-scale security response.
Municipal officials confirmed that 10 victims died at the scene, while another person later succumbed to injuries after being transported to a hospital. The wounded were taken to medical centers in the area, where several remain in serious condition. Authorities have not released details regarding the identities of the victims or a possible motive behind the attack.
The mayor’s office in Salamanca said security forces were immediately deployed to locate those responsible, adding that an operation involving local police and state authorities was launched shortly after the incident. Officials described the attack as a grave act of violence and said investigations were ongoing.
The incident came amid heightened concern in the city after authorities reported the discovery of four bags containing human remains late Saturday night, several hours before the shooting at the football field. Investigators are examining whether the two cases are linked, though no official confirmation has been made.
Guanajuato, a key industrial corridor in central Mexico, has in recent years emerged as one of the country’s most violent states. Despite its economic importance and the presence of well-known tourist destinations, the region has been heavily affected by disputes between organized criminal groups competing for control over territory, fuel theft operations, and drug trafficking routes. Official homicide data consistently places Guanajuato among the states with the highest levels of lethal violence nationwide.
The latest attack contrasts with broader federal claims of improving security conditions. President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously stated that Mexico’s homicide rate in 2025 reached its lowest level in nearly a decade, attributing the decline to changes in national security policy, increased coordination among law enforcement agencies, and a focus on addressing the root causes of crime. She has acknowledged, however, that certain regions continue to face severe challenges due to entrenched criminal activity.
The shooting also draws renewed attention to security concerns as Mexico prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada. Matches in Mexico are scheduled to take place in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, with the capital’s iconic stadium set to host the tournament’s opening match in June 2026. It will be the first stadium in history to stage three World Cup openers, following previous tournaments in 1970 and 1986.
While World Cup organizers and federal authorities have emphasized preparedness and security planning for the international event, incidents such as the Salamanca shooting underscore the ongoing challenge of curbing violence in certain parts of the country. Investigations into the attack remain underway, and officials have urged the public to cooperate with authorities as efforts continue to identify and apprehend those responsible.
