On Sunday, January 25, 2026, a soccer field in Salamanca, situated in Guanajuato state, Mexico, was the site of a violent shooting. Assailants unleashed over 100 rounds of gunfire, killing 11 people and injuring 12 others who were enjoying a post-match gathering.
At the Cabañas pitch located in the Loma de Flores neighborhood, ten victims succumbed to their injuries on site, while one later passed away in the hospital. The injured included a woman and a minor.
The attackers arrived just as the soccer game concluded, according to Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto. “Unfortunately, there are criminal groups trying to subjugate authorities, something they are not going to achieve,” stated Prieto. He also made a plea to President Claudia Sheinbaum for assistance, shedding light on the city’s ongoing crime surge.
Why the shooting took place remains unknown. An investigation has been initiated and security forces have been mobilized to the scene. This incident happened just a day after five men were murdered and another was kidnapped in the city.
Salamanca, located in the heart of Mexico, is currently grappling with a surge in violence tied to organized crime. The state of Guanajuato, which houses Salamanca, recorded the highest murder count in Mexico last year.
The region has been a battleground for two major criminal factions: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima, or the Santa Rosa de Lima gang. These groups are deeply involved in oil theft, fuel theft, drug trafficking, and extortion throughout the state.
Salamanca hosts a significant Pemex refinery, making it a crucial location for criminal entities engaged in fuel theft.
The United States has taken decisive action against these organizations. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has been labeled a Foreign Terrorist Organization by President Donald Trump. Sanctions have also been imposed on the Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima by the U.S. government.
U.S. forces have executed at least 36 strikes on vessels suspected of drug transportation by sea, resulting in the death of around 125 individuals. Following U.S. demands, Mexican authorities extradited 37 high-impact suspects to the United States.
Despite the rampant violence, the Mexican government reported a murder rate of 17.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025, marking the lowest rate since 2016.
The targeting of civilians at community events, such as soccer matches, marks a concerning escalation in cartel violence. These attacks instill widespread fear and illustrate the criminal groups’ readiness to strike soft targets where families congregate.
Recreational spaces like soccer fields have traditionally been safe havens for community gatherings in Mexican towns and cities. The attack in Salamanca disrupted this sense of safety, hitting families during a pastime that typically bonds neighborhoods.
