Mexico: Operation Titan continues nationwide

Event

As of mid-April, more than 1000 people had been arrested as part of the ongoing Operation Titan, a nationwide anti-crime initiative. The detained individuals are suspected of a range of crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, and extortion. Furthermore, some ten tons of marijuana, 140 kg (300 lb) of cocaine, 46 kg (100 lb) of crystal meth, and 670 kg (1477 lb) of methamphetamine have been seized. The operation, which began on January 29, has been carried out in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Quintana Roo, Veracruz, Estado de México, and Guanajuato. During the first 11 weeks of the operation, homicides reportedly declined by 94 percent and 70 percent, respectively, in the Baja California Sur cities of Los Cabos and La Paz when compared to the previous 11-week period.

Context

Mexican authorities announced the initiation of Operation Titan in late January in response to particularly high rates of organized crime that shook the country in 2017. 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 in the country's history, based on violent crime indicators.

Advice

Individuals present in Mexico are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities; if assaulted, remain calm, do not offer any resistance, and give up any demanded objects.