On Thursday, June 11, 2026, during the celebrations at the Ángel de la Independencia following Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in the World Cup opener, a troubling incident unfolded that has sparked outrage on social media.

As fans gathered to celebrate the national team’s win, a sudden storm forced many to seek shelter. Among them were family members of missing persons, peacefully protesting with banners displaying the faces of their loved ones. Shockingly, some fans used these very banners as makeshift rain covers, an act that many saw as deeply disrespectful.

Members of the collective Una Luz en el Camino shared videos online showing at least three groups of fans engaging in this behavior. One group of three young men—identified as Liel Nasib, Aarón Ortiz Jiménez, and Abraham Chayo—went further by physically and verbally attacking the mothers searching for their missing relatives and a journalist who confronted them.

– Liel Nasib, wearing a black shirt, threatened and pushed the journalist to the ground.
– Aarón Ortiz Jiménez, in a green Mexican National Team jersey, insulted the mothers, calling them “bad mothers” and allegedly sent derogatory messages on Instagram, though the authenticity of these messages remains unverified.
– Abraham Chayo, who threatened to call the police during the incident, is reportedly the son of Yosef Chayo, a Jewish community educator and podcast host in Mexico. Yosef has not publicly commented on his son’s actions.

While these three have been identified, social media users note that others also misused the banners. Additional videos show at least five more individuals covering themselves with missing persons’ banners, their identities still unknown.

This incident highlights the tension between public celebration and the ongoing grief of families demanding justice for Mexico’s more than 133,000 disappeared persons. It also raises questions about respect and empathy in moments of national pride.

For those navigating life as migrants or immigrants in Mexico, or abroad, this story is a reminder of the complex layers within Mexican society—where joy and sorrow often coexist, and where public spaces become arenas for both celebration and protest.

Supporting inclusive and respectful public transport systems like Puebla’s upcoming cablebús could foster safer, more connected communities—spaces where diverse voices and experiences are acknowledged rather than overshadowed.