Two Chinese football fans who had travelled to Mexico to watch the World Cup were carjacked and robbed at gunpoint by masked men.
The two men, Wang Kun and Li Zhe, arrived in Mexico City on 10 June and were robbed later that evening while travelling from Benito Juárez International Airport to the city centre.
The masked assailants, who were riding a motorbike, intercepted their vehicle and pointed a firearm at them before stealing their luxury watches, cash and passports and fleeing the scene.
The Chinese embassy said on Monday that one of the suspects had been arrested. The two men returned to China on Friday.
The pair left Mexico less than 48 hours after arriving and later posted a detailed 11-minute video on social media recounting their ordeal.
“I just experienced a robbery for the first time in my life – and at gunpoint,” Mr Wang said in the video, adding that a gun had been pointed at his head during the attack.
He said the masked robbers, who were wearing helmets, took their passports, bags, laptops, cash and luxury watches.
Recounting the incident, Mr Wang said the robbers may have noticed them while they were exchanging money and that he had been wearing a Rolex watch that had been gifted to him.
“My mind went blank at the time. My only thought was for our safety,” he told Xinhua.
The two men contacted the local police and the Chinese embassy after arriving at their hotel.
Mr Wang said embassy staff “listened to our ordeal” and helped them throughout the process.
“I think this will be my last time visiting Mexico,” he said in another video.
“I advise everyone, regardless of where they travel, not to carry designer bags, wear luxury watches or bring anything valuable.”
The Chinese embassy said they are in touch with local authorities to demand a swift investigation and ensure that Chinese citizens were protected in the country. They also expressed their concerns to the Mexican foreign ministry.
The Chinese embassy issued a warning to Chinese citizens travelling to Mexico for the tournament, urging them to not carry a lot of cash and valuables and asked them to stay alert in crowded areas.
Thousands of football fans have descended on Mexico for the opening match of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The 48-team competition is being jointly hosted by Mexico, the US and Canada.
