Mexico City mayor rules out repression ahead of World Cup, promises peaceful protests

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada has asserted that her administration will not resort to repression against peaceful protesters, even as the city prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. "We do not believe in false dilemmas; it is not either the World Cup or repression," she stated, emphasizing a commitment to reconciling the right to protest with the public's right to mobility and access to public spaces.

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We do not believe in false dilemmas; it is not either the World Cup or repression.

Brugada made these remarks at a press conference held at the Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento, an area recently affected by CNTE demonstrations. She reiterated her government's stance against falling for provocations that might incite a repressive response. "They will be disappointed, those who try to generate some provocation for a repressive response from the city government; the answer is there will be no repression," she declared.

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It is not about choosing between freedoms or coexistence. It is not the right to demonstration or the right to public space and work or any other right to demonstration; we have to reconcile them.

While vowing to avoid repression, Brugada clarified that authorities would intervene in cases where crimes are committed during demonstrations. "We will act if some seek to take advantage of mobilizations to commit crimes," she warned. The mayor described Mexico City as a "pacifist city" whose "vocation for peace is non-negotiable," asserting that freedom of expression is fully guaranteed, but violence has no place.

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Our responsibility is to guarantee both, guarantee the right to demonstration and guarantee the right to free mobility of people.