Amid Unrest in Mexico, World Aquatics Cancels Diving Event in Zapopan
World Aquatics on Thursday announced it is cancelling a World Cup Diving event scheduled in March in Zapopan, Mexico.
The decision was made, the organization said in a statement, in consultation with Aquatics Mexico, the Mexican Federation of Diving and High Diving and CODE Jalisco.
From the statement:
This decision follows travel restrictions issued by some international embassies and an overall evaluation of travel cautions, which have limited or advised against travel to Mexico at this time and, as a result, did not authorize their national teams to participate in the competition. The safety and participation of all athletes remains a fundamental priority for World Aquatics.
World Aquatics is grateful to Aquatics Mexico, the Mexican Federation of Diving and High Diving and CODE Jalisco for their work in preparing for the event and their close cooperation throughout. World Aquatics looks forward to having a future World Aquatics Diving World Cup stop in Zapopan.
Mexico has dealt with a surge of violence after the Feb. 22 killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” the suspected leader of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel. Oseguera Cervantes was wounded by military in an operation to capture him in Tapalpa, a city two hours southwest of Guadalajara. He died on a flight to Mexico City.
Retaliatory violence has roiled the state this week, including roadblocks, closed businesses and jail riots, killing at least 70 people. Many airlines have cancelled flights to the region, including to the resort city of Puerto Vallarta, and countries have advised against travel to the country for the time being.
The Zapopan Aquatic Center is located just north of central Guadalajara, the capital of the Jalisco state on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is a frequent stop on the World Cup tour.
Four Mexican soccer league matches were postponed in the last week due to the violence. Guadalajara is due to host four matches at this summer’s FIFA Men’s World Cup as well as four crucial inter-confederation playoffs in late March featuring six teams vying for the final two World Cup spots. Those games are scheduled for Estadio Akron in Zapopan. FIFA said in a statement this week that it is confident in Mexico’s ability to host the World Cup matches this summer, with Zapopan one of three venues in the country and 16 total in an event co-hosted with the United States and Canada.
The Guadalajara stop was due to be the second of three on the Diving World Cup circuit. Currently underway is the event in Montreal, which will be used as sole qualification for the World Cup Super Final in May in Beijing.