Mexico: Drug violence reaches Cancun
At least eight people died when a bar of tourists was attacked with Molotov cocktails in Cancun during the morning.
Authorities suspect that this incident was caused by the drug gang known as “Los Zetas” who have attacked the country at different points in recent weeks.
The horrific attack happened at 1.30 am in the bar Castillo del Mar, located on Avenue Leona Vicario, in the region 239 of the Gaza Ejidal in Cancun.
A heavily armed group arrived at the place in a luxury black van Silverado model and a jetta. They entered to the bar where many tourists were still enjoying its services.
Then, the attackers threw bombs that generated a strong fire, leaving eight people dead, among who are six women and two customers of the place.
Officials said the site owners had tried to be bribed to receive “mafia protection.” On August 4, a man was arrested near the bar, when he tried to bribe the owner with $ 40,000 in exchange for protection.
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Cancun is not a bad place. I was there for a week and had a blast sun up to sun down people take things and try to make it bad. All i can say is DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE-STRO
Muy buen articulo. Gracias por publicar articulos como este en tu blog!
Has the US lost 28,000 people to gang activity in the last couple years? Spare me on the media hype. This is one of the few times they actually serve the public to report on the menace that exists in Mexico and coming soon to a neighborhood near you if you are unfortunate to live in Arizona or Texas. God bless those folks.
I suppose the six people IN CANCUN who were tortured by Los Zetas and found with their hearts removed happens all the time in the states. I don’t recall any gang-related bombings in the US either. Just won a trip to Cancun that we are refusing based on example after example of violence in this country… To act like this only affects regions along the border is a disservice to the tourists you seek. Take a proactive approach instead of denial. Clean up the corrupt government and police force that allows these things to go on.
As a U.S. citizen living and working in Cancun for over 1 year, it’s important to point out that the media hype painting the picture of Mexico as a war zone is inaccurate. While there are a few northern Mexican states (near the U.S. border) with higher incidences of drug-gang violence, keep in mind, there are 31 states in Mexico, and most of them are quite safe. Quintana Roo and Yucatan in the southernmost region of Mexico are two of them, and this is where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, the Riviera Maya, and Chichen Itza are located. In fact, the Yucatan Peninsula has one of the lowest violent crime rates in Mexico and is as low as some states in the U.S. and Canada. The recent Castillo del Mar bar bombing occurred on the outskirts of Cancun, 1 hour from the city center and tourist areas, which are still very safe. Keep in mind, this incident was apparently related to the bar owner’s refusal to submit to monetary extortion. These are not events that affect or involve tourists. Many of us still love living and traveling in Cancun!
Dont cancel your plans for a sunny and fun filled Mexico vacation just yet! It is important to point out that this incident was an isolated incident which happened FAR AWAY from the tourist area. Also, important to note, what happened is no different then what the street gangs (in the US and everywhere else) do the exact same thing (however the US news media chooses not to give to much attention to those incidents).
I have lived in Cancun for 8 years and feel completely safe. This bar that experienced this tragic event is not frequented at all by tourists. It is off the beaten path so to say and is a rough establishment. No tourist has ever been targeted here in Cancun!
JEN I HAVE NO IDEAL WHAT U TAKING ABOUT MY SON WENT TOO CANCUN LAST YR(2010) HE CAME HOME BLACK AND BLUE HE WAS BEATEN LIKE A DOG FOR NO REASON AT ALL.