Photo: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City where parents of the disappeared are planning to peacefully protest for the return of their children. Photo by ProtoplasmaKid.
On May 10, Peace Brigades International-Mexico accompanied the Mother’s Day march in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
At that time, El Universal reported: “On the esplanade of the Plaza de Armas in Cuernavaca, [the mothers of the disappeared] denounced that the enthusiasm for events such as the World Cup contrasts with the reality of those who live in a permanent absence. In Morelos, they pointed out, there are more than two thousand missing people and at the national level the figure exceeds 133 thousand. ‘Hopefully just as millions of people will gather to shout a goal, there will also be space to shout for those who are missing,’ said a mother during the statement.”
Two days before, Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand met with Mexican foreign minister Roberto Velasco by telephone.
Informa Oriente reports: “The relationship between Mexico and Canada continues to strengthen, from economic cooperation to the joint organization of the 2026 World Cup. This Friday [May 8, 2026], authorities from both countries held a conversation to review progress on key issues on the bilateral agenda.”
That article adds: “The Mexican Foreign Ministry also indicated that one of the central issues was the coordination towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that Mexico, Canada and the United States will share as hosts.”
The tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will feature 13 matches in Mexico, split between Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. The iconic Azteca Stadium in the capital will host the opening match.
It will also include matches that will be played in Toronto (June 12, 17 and 20) and Vancouver (June 14 and 18).
Journalist Joaquín López-Dóriga further reports: “In the midst of preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, families of missing people are preparing protests to make visible a national crisis that they accuse of being ignored.”
EFE adds: “The mothers and fathers are preparing peaceful protests, which they announce they will do from the opening match at the Azteca Stadium on June 11. In addition, these relatives will deliver letters to different embassies, to warn about the security risks that, they say, could also affect tourists.”
We recall the plea from a mother in Mexico: “Hopefully just as millions of people will gather to shout a goal, there will also be space to shout for those who are missing.”
PBI-Canada is following this closely.
