A second explosives alert in two days forced an evacuation at Mexico City’s courts in the Doctores neighborhood on Thursday. Workers and visitors were moved outside as the SSC’s Zorros unit swept hallways, offices, and parking areas. Officials later said no suspicious device was found, but the incident raised fresh questions about how quickly judicial services can be disrupted in the capital. Here’s what authorities say happened, where the alert originated, and what to expect if you have business in the area.
Evacuation and search in Doctores
Authorities evacuated Mexico City courts in the Doctores neighborhood on Thursday after an alert about possible explosive devices. The report centered on the court complex on Doctor Lavista near Doctor Rafael Lucio, in the Cuauhtémoc borough. Police moved staff and visitors out of the building while the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana deployed its Agrupamiento Zorros specialists. Teams carried out a room-by-room sweep, including common areas and access points, to rule out anything that could put people at risk. Officials said the inspection did not locate any device and that re-entry was coordinated once the search concluded. Local authorities said the alert was received through emergency call channels and that standard civil protection protocols were activated. An estimate from the borough government put the number of people evacuated at about 600. During the operation, traffic controls were reported in the surrounding streets as emergency units worked the scene. Court activity paused while the perimeter stayed secured.
A second alert in 24 hours
The Doctores evacuation came less than 24 hours after a similar alert at another judicial site in the capital. On Wednesday, police responded to a reported bomb threat at a building used by the federal judiciary. The site is in San Ángel, within the Álvaro Obregón borough. That facility sits on Insurgentes Sur, near the intersection with Miguel Ángel de Quevedo. Specialists from the same Zorros unit entered the building and conducted a detailed inspection. Authorities later said the search found no object that posed a risk, allowing staff to return. Thursday’s alert involved the Mexico City judiciary, which handles local cases and court services. With two alerts in quick succession, officials have emphasized precautionary evacuations and controlled access during searches. Authorities have not reported injuries or property damage linked to either incident. Investigators have not publicly detailed what triggered the latest warning, beyond the initial report that prompted the response.
What to know if you’re headed near Ciudad Judicial
For residents and visitors, the main impact is disruption around Ciudad Judicial in Doctores and uncertainty about scheduling. If you have a hearing, a filing, or an appointment, expect delays during a security sweep. Access points may close without notice, and nearby streets can be temporarily restricted to traffic. Officials advised people in the area to follow police instructions and avoid crowding entrances while teams work. These alerts also tend to generate fast-moving rumors on messaging apps, especially when courts are involved. For expats, the safest approach is to rely on official updates from city authorities or the court system before making a trip. If you are already nearby, move away from cordoned zones and wait for clearance before re-entering any building. Mexico’s emergency number is 911, and suspicious objects should be reported rather than handled. Thursday’s inspection found no device, but the repeated alerts underscore how quickly essential services can be interrupted.
