The Mexican drug war has reached tourist centers: In Acapulco, police found ten dead bodies in a single night, some of which were apparently thrown from vehicles.
Once a luxurious seaside resort, Acapulco has seen a significant increase in gang-related crime. Police discovered the bodies of ten people in the city. According to authorities, the bodies of four men and two women were found on a street, having been left there the night before.
Media reports indicate that the victims were thrown from a car after they were already dead. The victims had their hands tied behind their backs and were likely strangled.
Additionally, four more people were shot in other parts of the city, including a man in the tourist district. Three people were also reported injured.
Acapulco is located in the state of Guerrero, which has been particularly affected by gang violence. Criminal gangs have been engaged in brutal battles for control over drug smuggling routes to the United States. These gangs are not only involved in drug trafficking but also in human trafficking, extortion, and fuel theft.
Last year, 1,890 people were killed in clashes between powerful cartels, according to official reports. Since the start of a controversial military operation against drug cartels in 2006, more than 450,000 people have been killed in the country, and another 100,000 are considered missing.
The rampant crime is a significant issue in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on June 2. Claudia Sheinbaum, the candidate from the party of the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, focuses on addressing the root causes of crime, while opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez advocates for a tougher stance against criminals.
Recently, the deaths of three tourists in northern Mexico drew attention. The two Australians and one American were shot dead, apparently during an escalated robbery attempt.
