MEXICO CITY (AP) — The diving World Cup scheduled to take place in Mexico next week was canceled Thursday due to safety concerns.
The meeting was scheduled to take place from March 5 to 8 in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Jalisco. Violence has surged since Sunday following the arrest and death of Nemesio Oseguera, leader of the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG).
“A thorough risk assessment of the situation has been carried out, including taking into account travel restrictions and advice from many international governments regarding current travel to Mexico,” World Aquatics said in a statement. “The safety and participation of all athletes remains World Aquatics’ top priority.”
Mexican sports officials have yet to comment on the cancellation.
Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states, with authorities reporting at least 70 deaths. The CJNG is considered Mexico’s most powerful and violent cartel, with its center in the state of Jalisco.
Although Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum says things are returning to normal, citizens of Guadalajara remain fearful.
Four high-level football matches were postponed on Sunday, including a friendly on Wednesday in the central city of Queretaro where Mexico beat Iceland 4-0. Top team Atlas conducts training via Zoom.
Four softball players from the Jalisco Charos of the Guadalajara Women’s Professional League asked to leave the team Wednesday for “personal reasons.” They are Nicola Simpson of the United States, Natalie Wildman and Janet Long of Canada, and Eva Waterman of the Netherlands.
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