Mexico City lawmakers propose "capacity traffic light" for mass events

Lawmakers from the Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) party are urging the Mexico City government to publicly share its protocol for managing large public gatherings. They also proposed implementing a "capacity traffic light" system for public spaces to prevent risks during mass events, particularly in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Federal deputy Laura Ballesteros argued that the recent tragedy during celebrations for the Mexican national team's victory on Paseo de la Reforma could have been avoided with better planning and risk management. She suggested a system similar to Jalisco's, where a "traffic light" would inform the public about the capacity of an area, allowing them to make informed decisions about their safety.

Ballesteros emphasized that security strategies must go beyond simply installing more screens to disperse crowds. A comprehensive approach to civil protection and emergency response is needed. She called for transparency regarding the number of civil protection personnel, ambulances, and medical units involved in past operations, as well as details on emergency response capabilities and crowd control measures.

The MC party also requested that the city government disclose all information about the security operation during the recent celebrations. They are asking for an integral risk management plan before upcoming weekend events, which should include capacity limits, evacuation routes, pre-hospital care, inter-agency coordination, and real-time public information mechanisms.