Security & Strategic Review - May 2026

Mexico is known worldwide for its archaeological sites. One of its most famous, the Teotihuacán pyramids and ruins, hit the headlines for the wrong reasons on 20 April, when a gunman opened fire on tourists, killing one and injuring over a dozen more. The attack, seemingly perpetrated by a lone assailant without apparent links to established criminal groups, is highly unusual in a country that more often suffers from widespread drug cartel violence. The incident has raised questions around the security protocols in place at Mexico’s major tourist attractions, coming just months before the country is set to welcome over 5m tourists for the Fifa football World Cup in June.