Ongoing Violence in Mexican Caribbean Resorts

Violence from drug cartels remains a serious issue in Mexico’s Caribbean tourist areas, including well-known spots like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun. Business leaders are urging government officials to take action, while President Claudia Sheinbaum insists crime rates have fallen during her time in office.

The most recent incident took place last night at the Zulum Beach Hotel, a small boutique hotel in Tulum. Reports from a local news source indicate that a group of armed men shot at a hotel security guard and his wife, who was employed as a maintenance worker, before escaping the scene. In response, authorities cordoned off the hotel, which had already faced prior threats.

A similar event occurred on Sunday night when gunmen opened fire at a seafood restaurant, killing one staff member and injuring three others. The Camaron Guasabeno restaurant, which had only been open for under a month, announced its closure soon after the shooting. The attackers fled before the police arrived.

In the wake of these violent incidents, local and state officials have attempted to minimize the situation, framing it as isolated. However, business leaders argue that the ongoing violence is detrimental to the tourism industry, which is already experiencing a decline in visitor numbers.

Despite these alarming attacks, President Sheinbaum claimed on Tuesday morning that homicides in the country had decreased by over 40 percent during her administration. These statements follow a series of reassurances from her office as she faces increasing pressure from the U.S. government to combat drug cartels and remove protections for politicians involved with them.

Additionally, Sheinbaum publicly criticized the U.S. for indicting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya and several close associates on drug trafficking conspiracy charges, arguing there is no evidence of wrongdoing from Rocha Moya and suggesting that the case is politically motivated.