Baja California Sur boosts security for Mexico-Ecuador match after fan attack

Authorities in Baja California Sur are implementing enhanced security measures ahead of Tuesday's World Cup match between Mexico and Ecuador. This comes after a vehicle plowed into a crowd celebrating Mexico's victory last week in Cabo San Lucas, leaving 17 people injured.

Special security operations will be concentrated in La Paz and Los Cabos, areas that typically see the largest gatherings of fans. The General Directorate of Public Security, Preventive Police, and Municipal Traffic in Los Cabos announced that the operation would begin at 5:00 PM. It will focus on the Lázaro Cárdenas boulevard and access roads to the marina and the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas, where a significant fan concentration is expected.

Authorities are urging the public to plan their travel in advance, use alternative routes, and follow traffic personnel's instructions. Sobriety checkpoints will remain active, and carrying objects that could pose a risk to others in public gatherings is prohibited. This heightened security follows closely on the heels of the incident that occurred on the same tourist corridor just a week prior.

The State Attorney General's Office is investigating the circumstances of the car attack, while the State Human Rights Commission has initiated an inquiry into the authorities' actions for potential omissions. In La Paz, the City Council will increase surveillance along the Malecón, the main gathering point for fans during World Cup matches. This will involve a coordinated effort between municipal police, state preventive police, civil protection, firefighters, and other agencies. The security plan includes ground patrols, continuous monitoring via the C5 surveillance system, drone surveillance, and potential traffic closures on Paseo Álvaro Obregón, depending on crowd size. Officials are encouraging responsible celebrations and prioritizing pedestrian movement in crowded areas to minimize risks.