Mexico City's elite police unit grows with 74 new officers ahead of World Cup

Mexico City has welcomed 74 new officers into its Metropolitan Special Operations Unit (UMOE). The graduates completed a gruelling training programme designed to bolster security ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Among them, eight are women and 66 are men.

The new recruits finished the sixth and seventh phases of the Special Operations Command Course. Their training covered advanced physical conditioning, tactical firearms defence, and air-mobile operations. They also learned combat trauma care and other critical skills.

One graduate, Yogenis, admitted the course’s intensity made success seem impossible at first. Despite the challenges, he persisted and now joins the UMOE as a fully qualified operator. Since its creation, the UMOE has played a key role in reducing violence across the capital. The unit has captured high-priority targets and helped protect residents from organised crime.

The addition of 74 officers will strengthen Mexico City’s security ahead of a major international event. Their specialised training prepares them for high-risk operations and emergency response. The UMOE continues to expand its capabilities as part of broader public safety efforts.