Why violence has increased in Cancun, heavenly

Cancun is the main tourist destination of Mexico. Each year, more than six million people visit its beaches and archaeological areas nearby.

In recent years, violence has intensified in this Mexican paradise of beaches and privileged natural spaces. The violence resulting from the war waged by drug cartels and local gangs to control drug trafficking in the region, Murders, executions and account adjustments have increased.

In recent days, two attacks have occurred away from the tourist area, but they contribute to the climate of insecurity that reigns in southeastern Mexico.

Last Friday, four armed men entered the nudist club in the center of Benito Juarez, where Cancun is located, open fire against some customers who were in place, local authorities have reported.

The scale of the attack was composed of 5 people killed and 5 others wounded.the Attorney General's Office of Quinta Roo announced that three people had been arrested and were under investigation; "that there are enough elements to achieve the capture of all those responsible."

Another attack took place last January at the bar "Las Virginias" Playa del Carmen, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Quintana Roo, He left 7 injured and 1 wounded in a similar attack at the club "La Kuka".

A group of armed men entered the establishment, located in a popular area, and shot at customers.

Analysts warn for a long time that this type of event occurs in the context of violence between criminal gangs the narcotics sales area is disputed in high-demand areas, such as the beaches of southern Mexico.

The specialist Ricardo Ravelo, author of several books on drug trafficking, explained that the drug demand on this tourist site is more important, "You can see the dispute over a drug market that is becoming more dynamic in Cancun"He said at BBC World in 2017

According to the 2016 National Addictions Survey, marijuana use is higher in Quintana Roo than in any other state, with 13.8% of the population, while the national average is 8.6%.

The state also occupies third place in cocaine use with 5.8%, while the national average of the use of this drug is 3.5%.

These last years, the groups present in Cancun and in the rest of the Riviera Maya, the coastal strip of Quintana Roo, are the Sinaloa, Zetas, del Golfo and Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) panels.

But it's not just violence that causes the problem on the street, Cancun since the 90s is one of the main gates where South America's gum drug comes in between, which were thrown planes at the sea.

The bombardment" As it was known from this method, it was very common in the 90s. the Riviera Maya was known as the Caribbean Road, remember the Ravelo specialist.

"Cancun has always been a rescue region for organized crime"he explained.

National entrepreneurs and foreigners since those years have started to invest the cartel money in building huge resorts and condominiums.

This money laundering network was discovered in an investigation of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (PGR) and the US anti-drug agency, the DEA.

The El Maxiproceso caseThis was one of the largest surveys in the history of Mexico.

Mario Villanueva, former governor of Quintana Roo, was arrested as a result of this investigation, accused of money laundering and drug trafficking.

But this type of cartel and investor badociations still exists, even among small groups at war, says Ravelo.

"There are mayors, aldermen, trustees and no longer talk about the police, they protect criminal groups."