Mexico: Increase in public transit theft in Estado de México

Event

The Mexican Attorney General's office recently reported an increase in robberies on public transportation in the Estado de México in January and February 2018. According to the government data, some 875 violent thefts were reported on public transportation over the first 53 days of 2018, equating to 495 incidents per month; in comparison, an average of 325 violent robberies per month were reported on public transportation in 2017. Most of the reported robberies involve the threatened use of knives or guns. Among the municipalities of greater Mexico City most acutely affected by the uptick in crime are Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, and Nezahualcóyotl. Further incidents of violent crime are expected in the Estado de México, particularly in the abovementioned municipalities, in the near-term.

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 and government figures are also targeted, and bystanders can be caught up in the crossfire. 2017 was reportedly the most violent year, based on violent crime indicators, in the country's history.

Advice

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 Michoacán, as well as the states of Guerrero and Tamaulipas and the northeastern border with the US.