Less than a month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Mexican government assured that it will respect the demonstrations of groups searching for missing persons and other social organizations that have announced protests during the international sporting event.

The Secretary of the Interior of Mexico, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, affirmed that in the country there is “freedom of expression” and that the right to free demonstration will be guaranteed, even in the vicinity of the stadiums where World Cup matches will be held.

“In Mexico there is freedom of expression and demonstration,” said the official during a press conference focused on the search for missing people, a crisis that has accumulated more than 133,000 cases throughout the country.

The statements occur after groups of search mothers and civil organizations anticipated possible protests during the tournament, whose opening is scheduled for June 11 in the Mexican capital. Various groups consider that the international visibility of the World Cup represents an opportunity to demand answers about thousands of missing people.

Government recognizes delays in disappearance crisis

During the conference, Rodríguez admitted that the Mexican government still faces important challenges in forensics and human identification. The official acknowledged that “many things remain to be done,” especially in a system that for years has been questioned by international organizations and victims' groups.

The administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that it will allocate “the resources that are necessary” to address the problem, recently highlighted by the UN Committee against Forced Disappearances.

The head of the Interior also highlighted the reforms implemented since 2018, during the government of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, including legal changes approved in 2025 that require opening investigations from the first report of disappearance.

Among the measures announced are the creation of a Research Folder Base, a Single Identity Platform and a National Person Search Alert. According to the authorities, this last mechanism has allowed the identification of around 800 people.

For his part, the Undersecretary of Human Rights, Arturo Medina, explained that the government is working on the consolidation of the National Forensic Data Bank, a tool that will seek to cross-reference genetic information, records of mass graves and data on unidentified deceased persons.

Rodríguez acknowledged that the biggest challenge continues to be the forensic backlog. Currently, only four of the country's 32 entities have complete forensic information, according to official data.

Social protests will coincide with the World Cup

In addition to the search groups, organizations of transporters, farmers and dissident teachers have also announced mobilizations in the coming weeks.

Given this scenario, Rodríguez reiterated that the government maintains open channels of communication with the different social sectors and defended dialogue as the main way to resolve conflicts.

“Dialogue is the way,” said the secretary, who assured that federal authorities are seeking agreements with peasant organizations, unions and transport groups.

The Ministry of the Interior requested that the protests be carried out without affecting third parties or blocking strategic roads, especially in the midst of the international expectation that will surround the World Cup.

At another time of the day, Rodríguez was also questioned about the whereabouts of the governor with a license from Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, after reports about alleged links of Mexican officials with drug trafficking factions indicated by US authorities.

“And why me?” the official responded briefly and visibly uncomfortable, before pointing out that the conference was focused exclusively on the issue of disappearances.