Mazatlán’s Cancelled Trade Fair Highlights Rift Between Official Rhetoric and Reality of Insecurity

Mazatlán’s Cancelled Trade Fair Highlights Rift Between Official Rhetoric and Reality of Insecurity

MAZATLÁN, Sinaloa – The cancellation of the Expoferia Canaco Mazatlán 2026 due to escalating violence has opened a new front of criticism against local and state authorities. Political leaders from the PAN and PRI parties have backed the organizers’ decision, warning that the current security climate is insufficient to guarantee public safety.

Wendy Barajas Cortés, the state president of the PAN and a city councilwoman in Mazatlán, stated that the decision by the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco Servytur) to suspend the expo should force the government to reassess its strategies. She argued that officials must move past public statements and address the fundamental problems of insecurity.

Barajas Cortés criticized Mayor Estrella Palacios Domínguez for defending the feasibility of hosting mass events while the organizers determined otherwise. “It is concerning that while the mayor of Mazatlán ensures conditions exist for large-scale events, the organizers of this fair have reached a different conclusion after evaluating the risks. From the Action National party, we believe it is essential to listen to the business sector and address their concerns with concrete measures, not just declarations. Enough with the speeches that do not solve our municipality’s problems,” she stated.

“It Cannot Be Done”
Maribel Chollet Morán, president of the local PRI, echoed this sentiment, arguing that the cancellation must be viewed through the lens of the violence plaguing the municipality and the need to protect attendees.

“The sun cannot be hidden with a finger. There are no conditions; one cannot be irresponsible and call for an event where so many people will gather and where a tragedy could lamentably occur,” Chollet Morán said. She added that the mayor’s claims of viability ignore the severity of the insecurity crisis, which has intensified since last July with approximately 200 homicides reported. Both leaders agreed that many families now avoid going out at night out of fear of violence—a concern echoed by the fair’s organizers.

National Impact
The cancellation of the Expoferia Canaco, a traditional event tied to family gatherings and commercial promotion, also carries significant implications for Mazatlán’s image as a tourism destination. Mireya Sosa, the Secretary of Tourism for Sinaloa, noted that the decision resonates nationally.

“This definitely has an impact on perception at a national level,” Sosa said.

Governor Graciela Domínguez noted that events like these are based on specific security accompaniment strategies. While the governor expressed respect for Canaco’s decision, she stated that the government is prepared to provide a tailored security framework for such activities, hoping that no events are ultimately canceled.