Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Zacatecas, the state Fresnillo is in, has the countrys highest murder rate, with 122 deaths in June, according to the Mexican government. On Wednesday morning another shootout between the military and members of an organized crime gang in the border city of Nuevo Laredo left seven people dead, just over a week after shootouts forced schools in the city to cancel classes. In June, the bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men were found in Valparaiso in Zacatecas state, in what authorities said appeared to be the aftermath of a gun battle between the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels. Then the bodies of the executed were dumped in city streets. Yes, terrorism, not an issue here, but all of many other crimes as robbery, hijacking, and violence are common here. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. Lately, it has become a national horror show, with. He was swept to victory. Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Just dont go to Fresnillo. CBS News Poll: How GOP primary race could be Trump v. Trump fatigue, Debt ceiling: Biden calls congressional leaders to meet, Illinois highway pile-up causes multiple deaths, police say, Fish contaminated with "forever chemicals" found in nearly every state, Missing teens may be among 7 found dead in Oklahoma, authorities say, Debt ceiling standoff heats up over veterans' programs, U.S. tracking high-altitude balloon first spotted off Hawaii, Third convoy of American evacuees from Sudan reaches safety, The weirdest items passengers leave behind in Ubers, Mexico villages arm kids to fight cartels, Armed kids shine light on Mexico's drug cartel violence. It was Guadalupe who found the teenagers bodies. Its a force that comes out of trying to mix oil and water, said Eduardo Guerrero, a Mexico City security analyst. You have to speak Spanish (my companion did) and his father was from the province so he appreciated more of the history then I did. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well. Her 10-year-old daughter can barely sleep, she said, and Guadalupe keeps dreaming of her sons killing. were found in front Monreals vilas office, ongoing turf war between the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel. The bodies of five men and one woman were found dumped on a roadside in Mexico's north-central state of Zacatecas, prosecutors said Tuesday. On Tuesday a shooting near a kindergarten in Sinaloa state left two dead; a video shared on social media showed children cowering under their desks as their teacher tried to comfort them with the music of Taylor Swift. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common. But the fear remained. An altar for Henry and his two friends who were murdered together in front of Guadalupes house. / CBS/AFP. At least 948 people have been killed in Zacatecas over the first 10 months of this year. Everyday there are groups of people from all over the world that come here to relax and see this beautiful city. U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions: Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state, which includes tourist areas in:Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas,andTuxtla Gutierrez. Its another example of the failed policy of military deployment, said Catalina Prez Correa, a law professor at Mexico Citys CIDE university. The main risks in the region are associated with droughts. Mugging is spread shared in Zacatecas. Drug routes Zacatecas Gov. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Living with fear is no life at all.. Murillo said that of the five bodies identified so far, three had been detained previously on drug or robbery charges. The situation is out of control.. Zacatecas was where thousands of local slaves were forced by the Spanish to toil in the mines. That's 342 more than were murdered over the same time frame last year, authorities said. InSight Crime Analysis Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs moving north to the U.S. border, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 2020 there were more than 1,200 executions in Zacatecas. Mexico has been unable to transform a justice . The Mexican Army and the National Guard launched an operation to search for the kidnapped people, who were not identified. Members of the justice department bearing the coffin of a judge killed in Zacatecas on Sunday. The case was also mentioned by President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador during his weekly news conference Friday. The state of Zacatecas is the home to a violent narco-war between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel (CDS). Zacatecas Governor David Monreal vila a member of the leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) of Mexican President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador (AMLO) has been under intense criticism for failing to curb the violence and killings since he assumed office in September 2021. A month later, in May, a three-year-old was shot dead in a church in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, the victim of crossfire in a chase between alleged criminals. Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions: U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of theMonarch Butterfly Reservelocated in Michoacan. Only one of them showed signs that could be consistent with acts of torture, which would need to be corroborated by a full autopsy, said the states attorney general, Francisco Jos Murillo Ruiseco, in a video posted on Facebook. You should take normal precautions to protect yourself. Zacatecas, once dominated by the old Zetas cartel, is being fought over by a dizzying number of cartels. Lpez Obrador, or Amlo as most call him, vowed to attack the social roots of crime,offering vocational trainingto more than 2.3 million disadvantaged young people at risk of being ensnared by the cartels. 4124. In 2018, during his run for president, Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador offered a grand vision to remake Mexico and a radically new way of tackling the violence. The bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men were discovered in Zacatecas state after apparent confrontation between suspected cartels. Now she and her family live in terror. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. Country Summary: Violent crime - such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery - is widespread and common in Mexico. Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping. Between 2015 and 2021, the number of murders in the state increased by a staggering 400%. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state. I retired in Zacatecas after living in Wisconsin my entire life, I love it here! Tlaxcala state Exercise Increased Caution. . Theres not a clear security policy.. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping. The U.S. Department of State recommends to visitors stay in defined tourist areas because those are considered safest, however its always important to stay vigilant about your surroundings and personal belongings. The risk of cheating with credit cards in Zacatecas is high. There is peace and calm, he said in June. Using buses, taxis and walking are preferable because of the winding streets. Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To: Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To: Visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas. A burnt-out truck blocks a highway on Monday after an attempted prison break in Zacatecas state. Photo: Google. Violence has. Mexican authorities have found the bodies of an Ohio man's fiancee, her sister, and cousin, who were all with 36-year-old Jose Gutierrez when they disappeared after leaving a restaurant where'd they'd had dinner on December 25. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. The state has taken some steps to address this crisis, but it can do much more. First published on January 7, 2022 / 5:11 AM. Baja California state Reconsider Travel. Click here to get an offer for travel insurance. And it could get to 1,500 deaths by the end of the year if nothing is done, the secretary of national defense foresees. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years. It has become a steady drumbeat of conflict that underscores the ongoing failure of President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obradors security strategy and the inability of his government to tackle the scourge. There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. Overall homicides dropped by about 7% in the first 10 months of 2022, compared with the same period last year, official figures show. The state has the obligation to guarantee peace and tranquility, the security of all citizens, Lopez Obrador said in his usual morning conference. Just one month into his six-year term as governor of Zacatecas, Monreal vilas administration had already racked up a roster of 220 drug-related murders. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Also, consider looking into aggregate data we have for Crime in Mexico Crime 0 120 71.57 Crime rates in Zacatecas, Mexico Safety in Zacatecas, Mexico Contributors: 23 Last update: February 2023 These data are based on perceptions of visitors of this website in the past 3 years. Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. But for now, she sits in her parents small, cinder-block house, the curtains drawn, the shadows broken by the candles of a little altar to Henry and his fallen friends. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas. But Calderns policies largely survived, with authorities targeting prominent cartel leaders such as Sinaloas Joaqun El Chapo Guzmn. The next day, driving out of town, Pia saw the aftermath: burned carcasses of trucks set on fire as roadblocks, which, according to the state security secretary, Adolfo Marn Marn, had been set up to draw attention away from the attempted prison break. And it increased in the last years. At least three people were taken at gunpoint from a bar by armed men at dawn on Saturday, June 18, in the municipal seat of Jerez de Garca Salinas, in Zacatecas, a state in northcentral Mexico. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Keep valuables in a hotel safe and keep an eye on your money and documents. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments. Theyre here, theyre present, they do patrols, but what we really need right now is to be fighting organized crime, Mr. Monreal said. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders. Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. It terrifies me, Pia said of the violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. A city of beautiful cathedrals and art museums a lot of beautiful art! Last Updated: Reissued with updates to health information. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state, including tourist areas in: U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state. Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl, moving north to the U.S. border. He said several suspects had been arrested in connection with the body dump, but refused to give more details. Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. Reconsider Travel To: Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping. Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. Thats 342 more than were murdered over the same time frame last year, authorities said. The state has been the backdrop of violent fights between rival cartels disputing territory and control of highways to transport drugs to the United States. Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs moving north to the U.S. border, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller. Local authorities said 10 of the bodies were discovered in Fresnillo, while the other six were found in General Panfilo Natera, 110km (70 miles) to the southeast. He said the crime was the result of fighting between gangs, and that the way the bodies were left was a provocation. He said that since a special safety operation was initiated in Zacatecas 43 days ago, there has been a 25 percent decrease in murders. "What we received was a cursed inheritance" from previous administrations, Monreal said. On January 6, 10 bodies were found in a sports utility vehicle in the main square in the city of Zacatecas. Francisco Murillo, the state's chief prosecutor, said seven of the 10 bodies had been autopsied and all died of "asphyxiation by strangulation." Enter your email address to follow Pulse News Mexico and receive notifications of new posts by email. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Definitely helps to know Spanish if you come to visit. My husband and I live in Zacatecas city. Witnesses said people panicked as the club's floor became awash in blood. Among other strategies, Mr. Lpez Obrador has focused on tackling what he sees as the root causes of violence, funding social programs to improve education and employment for young people. Thanks. Gov. In the past few weeks, there have been several mass killings in the municipalities of Fresnillo . Just recently, on June 8, two bags with human remains were found in the metropolitan municipality of Guadalupe, also in Zacatecas. From the United States 1-844-528-6611. Zacatecas state, in the north-central region, has been plagued . Theres also a lot of history here but that was less interesting to me. All Rights Reserved. That began changing around 2007 and 2008 as the governments assault on the cartels led them to splinter, evolve and spread. On Monday the Mexican president addressed the weekends wave of attacks in Zacatecas state, where, a day after a judge was shot dead, cars were set on fire and roads blocked off as inmates at a prison tried to escape. His family is politically powerful. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state. Photo: El Tiempo. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Caught in the middle of the fighting are residents like Guadalupe. The economy can boom and bust, presidents and parties and their promises can come and go, but for the citys 140,000 people, as for many in Mexico, there is a growing sense that no matter what changes, the violence endures. It fills me with rage, with indignation.. In fact, many believe such tactics served only to pulverize the world of organized crime, creating even more violence as new, less predictable factions squabbled for their piece of the pie. On Sunday, as reports emerged of violence erupting in the city after the failed prison break, Pia sheltered at home with his son, listening to the sirens that have become a common soundtrack in this city. MEXICO CITY, Mexico Mexico's organized crime violence has burst into full view in recent days, as police in the north-central state of Zacatecas reported finding 14 bodies dumped on a . The vehicle was parked under a Christmas tree in the state capitals main plaza, according to La Jornada Zacatecas newspaper. In the last year alone, homicides have increased by more than 60%. increasingly relied on the armed forces to tackle the violence. Violent crime is widespread. Shooting incidents between criminal groupshave injured or killed bystanders. At least 948 people have been killed in Zacatecas over the first 10 months of this year. Guadalupe has thought about leaving town or even taking her own life. But those measures have yet to pay off, with the new security force used mostly to hunt Central American migrants. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. January 19, 2022. Authorities say the gang is waging a violent campaign to take control of drug-trafficking routes. His government has also gone after the financing behind organized crime. The vehicle was parked under a Christmas. Are you on Telegram? In 2019, there were 560 killings linked to organized crime, up to 920 in 2020. Valparaiso borders Jalisco state, a stronghold of a powerful cartel called Jalisco Nueva Generacion. Also, it's better to avoid bars and nightclubs. But there is a risk of being robbed or cheated. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. . There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state. As crime rises in Mexico, women are in particular danger - of "disappearance", kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. For most of the population of Fresnillo, a mining city in central Mexico, a fearful existence is the only one they know; 96 percent of residents say they feel unsafe, the highest percentage of any city in Mexico, according to a recent survey from Mexicos national statistics agency. Zacatecas has been plagued by a shortage of municipal police, who would abandon their posts in fear of retaliation by criminal elements. Zacatecas is a city and municipality in Mexico, and the capital and largest city of the state of Zacatecas. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. Crime & Safety Elderly Inland Empire Man Beaten To Death In Tijuana: Report The family of a 79-year-old man killed in Tijuana last month said he was in Mexico delivering donations when he was . As InSight Crime reported in January, Zacatecas is beset by Mexico's two major rival cartels, the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as their regional allies. Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. But the violence went on. The index of crime is quite high for the city. This weekend, there were these very unfortunate events: the loss of life, the murder of a judge, the president said during his morning news conference, before blaming the violence on the inaction of previous governments. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report. An initial autopsy performed on seven of the 10 bodies showed that they ranged in age from 18 to 45, and that the cause of death was asphyxia caused by strangulation. Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours. Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping. Zacatecas, once dominated by the old Zetas cartel, is being fought over by a dizzying number of cartels. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state. And as the strategy of militarization fails, residents like Pia are left to deal with unending violence. The news came almost as fast as the bullets were fired: a judge murdered in cold blood; cartel members attempting a prison break; five people killed at a bar in a popular port city. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state. Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. Puebla state Exercise Increased Caution. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. This story has been shared 159,213 times. The search for the disappeared points to Mexicos darkest secrets, The sniper rifles flowing to Mexican cartels show a decade of U.S. failure, With its leader in jail, this city cowered to his will, Violent criminal groups are eroding Mexicos authority and claiming more territory, As Mexicos security deteriorates, the power of the military grows, Essential reporting from around the world, Bodies of 10 people, beaten and murdered, dumped in front of governors office in Zacatecas, Mexico. Another brother, Ricardo, leads the Morena party in the Senate and has said he intends to run for president in 2024. Zacatecas Chief Prosecutor Francisco Murillo said seven of the bodies had been autopsied and all died of asphyxiation by strangulation.. According to local reports, at least six individuals broke into the bar, firing shots, and proceeded to search the tables to locate the victims. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I love my home profoundly, he said. Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:Chichen Itza,Merida,Uxmal, andValladolid. It seemed that a woman with her children wanted me kicked out of the restaurant but management refused. Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl, moving north to the U.S.. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. But be sure to negotiate the price before starting a trip. Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. There is an unstoppable situation of violence and a tragic deterioration of public security in Mexico, said Angelica Duran-Martinez, an associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. But given that more than 26,000 Mexicans have been murdered this year, such a dip is hardly a victory, analysts say. 5 Feb 2022. Jerez has been hit in recent years by a wave of violence that last year forced hundreds of residents of nearby rural communities to leave their homes. Authorities said the kidnappers left road spikes in the path of oncoming police to evade pursuit. This article was published more than1 year ago. At least 948 people were killed by violence in Zacatecas in the first 10 months of 2021, according to official data, 342 more than in the same period a year earlier. Dec. 1, 2011. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state. Veracruz state Exercise Increased Caution. The index of crime is quite high for the city. Six had injuries suggesting they had their feet and hands bound. The bodies of 16 people were found in two different cities in Mexicos Zacatecas state on Saturday amid a turf war between two powerful drug cartels. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. "Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state,"the advisory says. His brother, David, is governor-elect of Zacatecas. But the very next day, the carnage continued. Zacatecas is a battle ground for the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacin - CJNG) and smaller groups with whom each have . Authorities in Zacatecas confirmed last week that a U.S. resident was among four people killed in the state around Christmas time. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Local media have reported a series of shootings since Wednesday when the bodies of two police officers were found hanging from a bridge in Zacatecas. One central pillar of his approach to fighting crime has been the creation of the National Guard, a 100,000-strong federal security force deployed across some 180 regional barracks nationwide. . Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. I do not want the night to come, she said, through tears. great retirement communities and many former Americans as well. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. The bodies of eight men and two women were found crammed into a pickup truck left before dawn near a Christmas tree in the main plaza of the state capital, also named Zacatecas. David Monreal vila said in a video posted on his official Twitter account Thursday that the people thought to be responsible had been arrested, but declined to give further details because the investigation is ongoing.