The city center of Monterrey has experienced another episode of violence this week, in broad daylight. A person was injured last Wednesday in the Colegio Civil commercial area around 2:00 PM, a zone that has become a red flag for authorities ahead of next year's World Cup. Sources within the Monterrey Secretariat of Security shared that preliminary reports indicate a failed robbery that ended in a firearm discharge, with no arrests or suspects made—at least during this international event. However, the violence in this area is constant, and authorities understand it as an attempt by organized crime to infiltrate the historic city center. Officials at the Palacio de Cristal view these events as 'part of' governing the capital. Furthermore, security in this area falls entirely under the local Police and not the Civil Force, as in other parts of Monterrey. Nevertheless, the state government believes that any situation occurring in the capital's center has repercussions that escalate the perception of insecurity across Nuevo León, due to the influx of people from the entire state. With the arrival of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2027 elections, it is estimated that the central point of Monterrey will see a reinforcement of the security strategy in conjunction with the Municipal Police, Civil Force, and even the National Guard, by redeploying elements that normally operate on the periphery. Even police leaders in Monterrey have suggested that these criminal groups use homeless people, settled in the streets of the capital's heart, as 'hawks' or drug carriers in exchange for significant payment. Just a couple of months ago, there was a clash between police and elements of a suspected criminal cell in this area, the first acid test for Adrián de la Garza's 'Escudo' strategy. This area is politically damaging to the opposition, not only due to the government's affinity with the PRI, but also because it is the legislative district of Front legislator Perla Villarreal, another candidate for succession. A problem that has dragged on for years and was also unsustainable for former mayor Luis Donaldo Colosio. Both the city administration and the state government identify the culprits as the Northeast Cartel and a criminal cell calling itself 'Los Costales'.
