MEXICO CITY — The popularity of Halloween is on the rise in Mexico, yet concerns linger in areas plagued by drug cartel violence regarding the potential for danger during festivities that include ghosts, skeletons, and ghouls roaming the streets.
The apprehension does not primarily stem from a clash with Mexico’s deeply-rooted Day of the Dead celebrations, which are set to take place on Friday and Saturday with customary fervor across cemeteries nationwide. Instead, in at least three cities significantly affected by violence, local authorities have issued warnings about wearing masks—an accessory often utilized by cartel members to conceal their identities.
In northern cities such as Tijuana, Culiacán, and Hermosillo, officials advised residents to avoid staying out late and suggested that adults refrain from donning masks. Tijuana’s local government secretary, Arnulfo Guerrero, declared special security protocols on Thursday for the city’s “Operation Halloween,” which involved hundreds of police officers overseeing the downtown Halloween festivities.
Guerrero emphasized that the regulations already prohibit masks, primarily referring to the ski masks generally preferred by gunmen. He stated, “That’s not to say don’t wear costumes; it’s just the issue of masks, which helps to protect us and our families.” Officials later informed local news outlets that police would exercise discretion when enforcing fines, clarifying that the mask rule would apply mainly to adults.
Despite these regulations, social media footage from Tijuana’s Revolution Avenue on Thursday night showed widespread participation, with adults dressed in various masks and costumes inspired by horror classics such as Beetlejuice, Scream, and Friday the 13th, suggesting that compliance has been minimal.
Adding to the tense atmosphere, Gerardo Mérida, the police chief in Sinaloa — a state experiencing violent disputes among factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel — issued a stark warning before Halloween. He advised against going out late at night, trick-or-treating, or wearing disguises, reminding citizens that “at night, all cats are black.” This idiom implies that in darkness, misidentifications can easily occur, conveying an ominous tone in a city where military forces recently caused civilian casualties in their pursuit of cartel suspects.
On Thursday night, Culiacán saw an increased presence of police and National Guard units patrolling its streets. Mérida later reported that Halloween celebrations had proceeded relatively peacefully in this troubled city, with only a handful of gunfire incidents.
In Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora state, authorities similarly encouraged residents to forgo Halloween masks in public settings. Across the broader Mexico, celebrations for the Day of the Dead commenced on Friday, commemorating those who passed away in childhood, with Saturday dedicated to honoring adults who have died.
These observances showcase families engaging in activities such as cleaning and adorning graves with vibrant orange marigolds. At cemeteries and home altars alike, loved ones light candles and present offerings of favorite foods and drinks of their departed relatives, continuing the rich cultural traditions that highlight remembrance and respect.