Mexico: Increased security on public transit in Mexico City December 20

Event

Security officials announced on Wednesday, December 20, that they will reinforce security on public transportation following a series of robberies on Metrobús vehicles. In addition to a visible security presence, plainclothes officers will be deployed on public transit to deter further incidents.  Police officials believe that at least two gangs operating in Mexico City are specifically targeting travelers on public transportation.

On Monday, December 18, three men armed with knives reportedly boarded a bus at the 416 Oriente station, forcing the driver to stop the vehicle before robbing passengers. No injuries were reported. An additional incident was reported on Saturday, December 16, at around 18:00 (local time) on a bus between stations Norte 45 and Norte 59. Two suspects carrying firearms reportedly boarded the bus and stole belongings from passengers before fleeing.

Context

The country is experiencing a nationwide spike in violent crime in part attributed to the fierce turf wars between competing and increasingly fragmented cartels. This trend has been observed in much of the country since mid-2016 despite the deployment of extra security forces to the worst-affected areas. Business owners and government figures are also targeted, and bystanders can be caught up in the crossfire.

This violence is poised to continue as long as the structural causes of insecurity - such as institutional weakness, corrupt and deficient security forces, poor public services, and a political establishment susceptible to bribes - are not effectively addressed.

Advice

Individuals present in Mexico City are advised remain vigilant at all times due to high crime rates, maintain a low profile (conceal signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves), and report suspicious behavior to relevant authorities. Do not attempt to resist would-be attackers or thieves; report attacks or robberies to the police.

Due to extreme levels of violence linked to the presence of various armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to a large portion of Mexican territory, including Guerrero, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas states, the northeastern border with the US, and, to a lesser extent, Baja California, Chihuahua, Colima, Durango, Jalisco, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, and Veracruz states.