Theres not a clear security policy.. Soldiers and national guard troops have been deployed throughout Mexico to combat crime gangs, but violence remains shockingly high, with more than 26,000 murders so far this year. Its a force that comes out of trying to mix oil and water, said Eduardo Guerrero, a Mexico City security analyst. My husband and I live in Zacatecas city. The Horrors of Zacatecas Could Happen Anywhere in Mexico - InSight Crime In Fresnillo, 96 percent of residents say they feel unsafe the highest percentage of any city in Mexico. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state. In fact, many believe such tactics served only to pulverize the world of organized crime, creating even more violence as new, less predictable factions squabbled for their piece of the pie. Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. She can remember sitting on the stoop with neighbors until midnight as a young girl. In 2019, there were 560 killings linked to organized crime, up to 920 in 2020. This weekend, there were these very unfortunate events: the loss of life, the murder of a judge, the president said during his morning news conference, before blaming the violence on the inaction of previous governments. Like other central states including Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi and Aguascalientes, Zacatecas has witnessed a grisly rise in violence. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state. Six people died on the spot and two more succumbed while receiving medical attention; five people remained hospitalized on Sunday for gunshot wounds. Zacatecas, one of the most violent states in Mexico, registered a 52.2 percent increase in murders from January to November 2021 compared with the same period in 2020, while nationally, the number of murders dropped 2.2 percent during the same period, according to official data published by La Jornada Zacatecas. David Monreal said he was starting work when he got word of the grisly discovery. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. Crime and violence are widespread. Its another example of the failed policy of military deployment, said Catalina Prez Correa, a law professor at Mexico Citys CIDE university. The state of Zacatecas is the home to a violent narco-war between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS). Roco Muoz-Ledo (CNN Espaol) Una agresin contra la Polica Estatal Preventiva del estado mexicano de Zacatecas dej este mircoles cinco presuntos agresores muertos, inform en un . Ukraine live briefing: Kyiv targeted by missiles; explosions in Russia derail train, damage power line, Philippine presidents White House visit reflects sharp upturn in ties, Eyeing China, Biden official floats a new Washington consensus. David Monreal vila said in a video posted on his official Twitter account Thursday that the people thought to be responsible had been arrested, but declined to give further details because the investigation is ongoing. increasingly relied on the armed forces to tackle the violence. "What we received was a cursed inheritance" from previous administrations, Monreal said. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. The U.S. Department of State recommends to visitors stay in defined tourist areas because those are considered safest, however its always important to stay vigilant about your surroundings and personal belongings. he expressed confidence that peace will be achieved "sooner or later" in Zacatecas, Mexico's eighth . There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state. Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter. Three men were dragged out of the bar by the armed group. The department said federal agencies were sending reinforcements to Zacatecas to help in the investigation. 6 police officers shot dead amid cartel turf war in northern Mexico Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. A street mural shows a young man killed in the Olivares neighborhood of Fresnillo. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Local media have reported a series of shootings since Wednesday when the bodies of two police officers were found hanging from a bridge in Zacatecas. Drug-related violence has killed more than 300,000 people in Mexico since 2006 [File- Tomas Bravo/Reuters] The bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men were discovered after an apparent gun battle between. This lack of police presence has led to the growing insecurity in many of the municipalities. Additionally, a 20-year-old woman from Zacatecas has been positively identified by her family members as one of the victims. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping. Customers and musicians among 8 killed in nightclub shooting in Mexico This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Members of the justice department bearing the coffin of a judge killed in Zacatecas on Sunday. You have to speak Spanish (my companion did) and his father was from the province so he appreciated more of the history then I did. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years. That was enough for the president to claim, in a speech last month, that there had been an improvement on a problem his administration inherited. In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Without a clear mandate, it has focused more on tackling low-level crime than cartel violence. Mugging is spread shared in Zacatecas. Fresnillo, which sits in the center of important roads and highways, is strategically vital. . Cartel Violence in Zacatecas, A Vicious Circle ~ Borderland Beat For most of the population of Fresnillo, a mining city in central Mexico, a fearful existence is the only one they know; 96 percent of residents say they feel unsafe, the highest percentage of any city in Mexico, according to a recent survey from Mexicos national statistics agency. InSight Crime Analysis Thats 342 more than were murdered over the same time frame last year, authorities said. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Were losing the ability to be shocked, said Javier Torres Rodrguez, whose brother was killed in 2018. There were 18 dead, and the confrontation occurred in the community of San Juan Capistrano, in the municipality of Valparaiso, said Zacatecas state security department spokeswoman Roco Aguilar. January 19, 2022. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. Zacatecas isn't the safest city in Mexico. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Thirty-seven (37) attractions and sixteen (16) museums not bad for a place I had never heard of, I had no idea. But for now, she sits in her parents small, cinder-block house, the curtains drawn, the shadows broken by the candles of a little altar to Henry and his fallen friends. Forensic personnel recover two bodies Thursday in Zacatecas. Guadalupe does not let her children play outside unsupervised, but even that couldnt stop the violence from tearing her family apart. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have been battling for control in the largely rural state through alliances with local gangs. It was Guadalupe who found the teenagers bodies. With more than 26,000 murders this year, it is clear the presidents strategy of using the military to control the crime gangs has failed. In the latest incident, authorities said, three bodies were hung from a bridge in the province and three others from a tree. Enter your email address to follow Pulse News Mexico and receive notifications of new posts by email. And I see that its going through the worst crisis in its history., Amlo promised to take Mexicos army off the streets but he made it more powerful, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Mr. Lpez Obrador has also doubled down on his support for the armed forces, embracing the militarization that also marked previous administrations. There was a burst of gunfire, and then the assailants were gone. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. That policy resulted in some high-profile scalps notably Arturo Beltrn Leyva who wasgunned down by Mexican marines in 2009 but also did little to bring peace. Violent crime and gang activity are common. U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state. Check news sources before traveling to Zacatecas. were found in front Monreals vilas office, ongoing turf war between the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, U.S. Citizen Services: From Mexico 800-681-9374 or 55-8526-2561. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state, which includes tourist areas in:Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo,andLa Paz. At least 948 people have been killed in Zacatecas over the first 10 months of this year. And as a security force made up of members of the federal police, the military and other security professionals, it has not found cohesion. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. As crime rises in Mexico, women are in particular danger - of "disappearance", kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. But Calderns policies largely survived, with authorities targeting prominent cartel leaders such as Sinaloas Joaqun El Chapo Guzmn. I will be traveling from Laredo TX to Bucerias MX and would like to stay in Zacatecas for a while can you recommend a hotel with secure parking? All rights reserved. Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Elderly Inland Empire Man Beaten To Death In Tijuana: Report There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state. According to the first versions, the events occurred after an armed attack when individuals tried to stop the vehicle in which the Colombians were traveling, but the driver continued on. Authorities said the kidnappers left road spikes in the path of oncoming police to evade pursuit. Police Killings Spike Amid Soaring Violence in Zacatecas, Mexico (modern). Lately, it has become a national horror show, with. There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. Funcionario hizo fiesta en el Acuario Mar de Corts, en Mazatln, das antes de ser inaugurado Se tiene previsto que el recinto abra sus puertas oficialmente el prximo 29 de abril y sea el . There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state. And as the strategy of militarization fails, residents like Pia are left to deal with unending violence. Quintana Roo state Exercise Increased Caution. Drug routes Caught in the middle of the fighting are residents like Guadalupe. But Aguilar said that so far authorities have not found a link between that grisly find and Fridays gun battle in Valparaiso. In October, the authorities said they had frozen 1,352 bank accounts linked to 14 criminal groups, including powerful drug cartels. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Now, the colonial part of the city is a World Heritage Site, due to the Baroque architecture and other structures built during mining days. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. The economy can boom and bust, presidents and parties and their promises can come and go, but for the citys 140,000 people, as for many in Mexico, there is a growing sense that no matter what changes, the violence endures. One central pillar of his approach to fighting crime has been the creation of the National Guard, a 100,000-strong federal security force deployed across some 180 regional barracks nationwide. Caldern hoped to smash the drug cartels with his heavily militarized onslaught but the approach was counter-productive and exacted a catastrophic human toll. Only one of them showed signs that could be consistent with acts of torture, which would need to be corroborated by a full autopsy, said the states attorney general, Francisco Jos Murillo Ruiseco, in a video posted on Facebook. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions: U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to Chihuahua City during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Federal Police station, the Umbral del Mileniooverlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the town of Villa Ahumada. In general, the city is quite safe. Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. But in recent years, the area of Mexico's map affected by organized crime has sprawled wider and wider. 'We're Living in Hell': Inside Mexico's Most Terrified City April 13, 2022 / 6:30 AM / CBS/AP. Although the shootings continued for several hours, no members of the National Guard were deployed to contain the armed groups. . Gunfire awakened residents, and some witnesses posted short video clips of the armed clashes on social media. Organized crime activity including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration told CBS News that the two cartels are behind the influx of fentanyl in the U.S. that's killing tens of thousands of Americans. Francisco Murillo, the state's chief prosecutor, said seven of the 10 bodies had been autopsied and all died of "asphyxiation by strangulation." It fills me with rage, with indignation.. Cartel violence erupts: Dozens of bodies found dumped in northern 5 Feb 2022. Zacatecas Gov. U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state. In the last year alone, homicides have increased by more than 60%. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. Veracruz state Exercise Increased Caution. Preliminary figures from the Mexican government show that there have been an average of 78 murders a day this month in Mexico about three killings an hour. in terms of going there we have no issues. Morelos state due to crime. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:San Miguel de Allende,Guanajuato City, andsurrounding areas. But be sure to negotiate the price before starting a trip. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. Using buses, taxis and walking are preferable because of the winding streets. Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl, moving north to the U.S.. Italian gynecologist allegedly offered to have sex with wo Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, Bride killed, groom seriously hurt by drunk driver just minutes after leaving reception, Ed Sheeran: 'I'm done' if found liable in Marvin Gaye 'Let's Get it On' copyright lawsuit, Sydney Sweeney shows off her curves in embellished Miu Miu at Met Gala 2023, Anna Wintour and boyfriend Bill Nighy make Met Gala debut as a couple, Gisele Bndchen is free as a bird in feathers at first Met Gala post-Tom Brady split, Khristina Williams previews the New York Liberty's 2023 WNBA season, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Met Gala red carpet: Live updates of all the celebrity outfits. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Some of the victims showed signs of being tied by their hands and feet. Mexican authorities have found the bodies of an Ohio man's fiancee, her sister, and cousin, who were all with 36-year-old Jose Gutierrez when they disappeared after leaving a restaurant where'd they'd had dinner on December 25. InSight Crime Analysis This wave of police killings can best be understood in light of the ongoing turf war ravaging Zacatecas and the state's inability to protect its forces. The towns of Calera and General Estrada are located near the junction of two major Mexican highways (Mexico 45 and Mexico 54) leading to the U.S. border, and in a state international security experts say is being disputed by drug . It will be virtually impossible to achieve peace without justice and [social] welfare, Amlo said, promising to slash the murder rate from an average of 89 killings per day with his hugs not bullets doctrine. Zacatecas prosecutors confirmed the identities of the three women, found in a clandestine grave in the town of . Federal and state security forces attended the crime scene and cordoned off the area. In 2021 until October, the number of deaths linked to organized crime increased to 1,277 in Zacatecas. Her 10-year-old daughter can barely sleep, she said, and Guadalupe keeps dreaming of her sons killing. Durango state due to crime. Eighteen bodies found after suspected drug cartel shootout in northern El Mencho: The drug lord filling the void El Chapo left behind, King Charles' coronation: The schedule, and how to watch the ceremony, Astronomers detect "Scary Barbie" black hole ripping apart huge star, King Charles III's net worth and where his wealth comes from, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status. But three years after his landslide win, and with his Morena party in control of Congress, the drumbeat of death continues, suggesting that Mr. Lpez Obradors approach has failed, fueling in many a paralyzing helplessness.
