Mexico: Spike in homicide rates in various areas

Event

Gun-related homicides have spiked in various municipalities since the beginning of the year.

The worst-affected area has been Tepic (Nayarit state), where gun deaths increased by 555 percent in the period running from January through April compared to the same period in 2017. Nayarit state more generally has experienced a rise in violent crime over the past year, notably linked to turf wars between rival drug cartels; 92 homicides were reported statewide during the above period, compared to only 19 in the first four months of 2017.

Murder rates have also risen dramatically in the Guanajuato municipalities of Irapuato (387 percent), Salamanca (358 percent), Silao (241 percent), and Celaya (127 percent). Guanajuato has also been affected by an increase in gang activity (1256 homicides reported statewide through May), which has been linked notably to the lucrative black fuel market.

Other particularly affected municipalities include Benito Juárez (Quintana Roo state; 300 percent rise), Tlaquepaque (Jalisco; 272 percent), Reynosa (Tamaulipas; 200), Guadalajara (Jalisco; 117 percent), and Tijuana (Baja California, 73 percent).

According to the federal government, the municipalities with the highest murder rates per capita are currently Tecomán (Colima), Zihuatanejo (Guerrero), and Taxco (Guerrero).

Context

Fierce turf wars between competing and increasingly fragmented cartels are on the rise in much of the country and violence in parts of Mexico is spiraling out of control as cartels adopt increasingly militarized tactics. Business owners, journalists, politicians and candidates, and social leaders are also targeted, and bystanders can be caught up in the crossfire. 2017 was the most violent year on record based on violent crime indicators.

Advice

Individuals present in Mexico, notably the above areas, are advised to remain vigilant. Keep in mind that criminals may be armed; do not resist if confronted and do not look your attacker(s) directly in the eye.