Mexico: Increase in machete attacks in Sonora

Event

In recent months, the northern state of Sonora has faced an increase in reported machete attacks in which macheteros, machete-wielding assailants, rob pedestrians, shopkeepers, and motorists. The increase in attacks has led to police clashing with macheteros, resulting in four perpetrators being killed, including the leader of a machetero gang.

Context

The northern state of Sonora, which borders Arizona and Texas, is relatively prosperous, has strong cross-border economic and social connections, and has a large American expatriate population. While Sonora does experience significant crime, the crime rate driven by the illegal drug trade is much higher in the bordering Sinaloa state.

Advice

Individuals are advised to remain vigilant at all times.

Due to extreme levels of violence linked to the presence of various armed groups, many Western governments advise against travel to a large portion of Mexican territory, including Guerrero, Colima, Sinaloa Michoacán, and Tamaulipas states and the northeastern border with the United States, as well as to a lesser extent Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo León, and Sonora states.