Mexican authorities discover eight bodies in Cancun amidst rising drug cartel violence
Mexican authorities have found eight bodies in Cancun, a popular tourism destination, amid escalating drug cartel violence. The bodies were discovered by police over the weekend, about 10 miles from the beach and hotel zone, during a coordinated search for missing people in wooded lots and cenotes. Five of the bodies were found at an abandoned construction site, three of which have been identified as previously reported missing people. The other three sets of skeletal remains were found at a separate site in a wooded area near the resort's airport, and they have not been identified yet.
According to Oscar Montes de Oca, the head prosecutor of Quintana Roo, the bodies were estimated to have been dumped there between one week and two months ago. This incident is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Cancun and other resorts, as drug cartels fight for control of the Caribbean coast and its drug trade. As a result, drug cartels have begun disposing of the bodies of their victims in clandestine body dumping grounds.
Volunteers, including the relatives of missing people, assisted investigators in the search, and search dogs were also used. The U.S. State Department issued travel guidance last month, warning travelers to "exercise increased caution," especially near resorts like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum anytime after dark.
Despite the increasing violence, Cancun remains the top destination for Americans vacationing in Mexico. In March, a U.S. tourist was shot in the leg in the nearby town of Puerto Morelos, and in 2022, two Canadians were killed in Playa del Carmen. Last year, in the town of Tulum, two foreign tourists, including one American and one German, were killed when they were caught in the crossfire between rival drug dealers.
In conclusion, the rising drug cartel violence in Cancun and other resorts is a growing concern for Mexican authorities and tourists. The discovery of the eight bodies highlights the need for increased security measures and caution for those traveling to these areas.