Shooting of a U.S. Tourist Outside Cancun
A 17-year-old minor from Wisconsin was shot in the leg by unknown assailants while vacationing at a resort in Puerto Morelos outside of Cancun on Tuesday, March 28. The victim was found on the grounds of the Royalton Riviera resort and quickly taken to a hospital in Cancun for treatment of a nonlife-threatening injury.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but it highlights the growing concern of criminal activity and violence in Mexico’s coastal Quintana Roo state. The State Department has been warning American citizens to exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping in popular tourist areas.
Travel Advisory Issued by State Department
The State Department issued a travel alert earlier this month warning travelers to exercise increased caution in Mexico’s Caribbean beach resorts due to drug gang violence. The kidnapping of four Americans in Mexico earlier this month prompted a Level 4 travel advisory for Tamaulipas state.
Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. Shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.
Travelers are urged to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. While thousands of American citizens visit Mexico annually for spring break getaways, the “vast majority” travel safely according to the State Department.
Conflicting City with High Crime Rates
Cancun is an area with conflicting neighborhoods with high crime rates, but the hotel zone is considered safe with well-patrolled roads and 24/7 security personnel in the resorts. However, travelers should take personal precautions such as not carrying large amounts of cash, not showing off valuables, and staying away from narcotics to lower their chances of being involved in unwanted situations.
The quick action of the resort doctor may have saved the minor’s life as the doctor provided immediate medical aid. The resorts in Cancun offer 24/7 medical coverage in case of emergencies, and the doctors play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of tourists.
History of Violent Incidents
There have been a series of violent incidents in Mexico’s Caribbean coast, including the killing of two Canadians in Playa del Carmen in 2022 due to drug and weapons trafficking gang debts. In 2021, two tourists were killed in Tulum caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival drug dealers, and two Canadians were shot at a resort near Cancun.
In March 2022, a British resident of Playa del Carmen was shot and killed in broad daylight while traveling with his daughter in his car. While Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has claimed that “Mexico is safer than the United States,” these incidents highlight the ongoing concern for traveler safety in Mexico.
In conclusion, the shooting of this American tourist outside Cancun serves as a warning to those planning to visit Mexico’s coastal Quintana Roo state. It highlights the need for travelers to exercise caution and take personal precautions when vacationing abroad, as well as underscores ongoing concerns regarding violence and criminal activity in popular tourist areas.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
