Mexican Army personnel stand guard at the parking lot of Guadalajara International Airport(Image: Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)
Mexico’s friendly against Iceland, scheduled for Wednesday, has been cancelled, following an outbreak of cartel violence in the country that will co-host this summer’s World Cup.
The two nations were due to meet in Santiago de Querétaro, around 350km from Guadalajara.
However, the Mexican Football Federation took the decision on Monday to cancel the game, while four league matches were also called off on Sunday.
Violence erupted in the state of Jalisco at the weekend when an operation to capture Jalisco New Generation cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes led to his death.
The man known as ‘El Mencho’ died while he was being flown to Mexico City for treatment of wounds sustained during the attempt to capture him.
Following news of his death, several alleged members of his cartel were videoed entering Guadalajara International Airport and opening fire.
Ireland fans could be passing through Guadalajara International Airport this summer, where stranded passengers were awaiting updates on suspended flights, after an outbreak of violence on Sunday(Image: Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)
The airport will serve as a hub for Ireland fans if Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men successfully negotiate next month’s play-offs against Czechia, and then either Denmark or North Macedonia.
The winners of the March play-off will open their World Cup campaign in Guadalajara against South Korea on June 11.
In clips posted on social media, panicked passengers were seen running through the airport as gunfire rang out.
Airport staff were seen ushering passengers behind check-in desks for cover.
As the violence raged into Monday, reports emerged of vehicles being set on fire and roadblocks being set up by cartel members.
And AP reported that 25 members of the Mexican National Guard were killed in six separate attacks in Jalisco.
In response to the violence, the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued guidance to Irish travelers in Mexico.
It read: “Irish citizens are advised against travel to Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, due to ongoing security operations.
“Those in affected areas should shelter in place & follow local authority advice.”
Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here.