On the night of May 20, 2024, authorities in Acapulco, Mexico discovered the bodies of six individuals – four males and two females. The victims were bound and asphyxiated, their hands secured behind their backs. This horrific incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have distressed the city once famous for its tourist attractions.
No details regarding the victims’ identities have been released as the investigation continues. The authorities have yet to provide information on the motive for these murders. The employed method of strangulation is frequently adopted by Mexican drug cartels, often using duct tape or plastic bags to suffocate their victims.
This horrific incident occurred just a week after five dismembered bodies were found scattered across Acapulco. Among them was a candidate for a town council seat in the neighboring Coyuca de Benítez. In another incident in April, Eduardo Chávez, the chief of traffic police in Acapulco, was shot dead. Earlier in February, two men were found asphyxiated on the famous Condesa beach, a case authorities referred to as “torture by ligature.”
The escalating violence has deeply disturbed the residents and raised concerns about safety. “We are living in constant fear,” stated a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “The violence is impacting our daily lives and our ability to earn a living.”
Adding to Acapulco’s woes is the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that hit in October, causing extensive damage and killing 52 people. Much of the city’s infrastructure, including hotels, was heavily damaged, and the recovery process has been slow. The recent surge in violence has only hampered efforts to rebuild and revive the city’s once-booming tourism industry.
The U.S. State Department has issued travel advisories to discourage Americans from visiting Guerrero state, where Acapulco is located, due to the high crime rates and violence. “Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero,” the advisory reads. “These groups frequently establish roadblocks and may resort to violence against travelers. In previous years, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have been kidnapped.”
The local government is grappling with the escalating violence. Even with around 10,000 National Guard and 6,500 soldiers patrolling the streets, the drug cartels maintain substantial influence. Bus and taxi drivers are often coerced into working for these gangs, and noncompliance or failure to meet their demands can result in brutal repercussions. In March, videos on social media showed gang members assaulting bus drivers for not acting as informants.
The ongoing violence has done significant damage to the tourism industry. Acapulco, once a crown jewel of Mexico’s tourism sector, has seen its reputation tarnished by the ongoing violence. As a result, many tourists are choosing safer destinations, and the local economy is feeling the impact. “The violence generates a terrible reputation, which is detrimental for tourism,” stated the president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) in Acapulco.
The persistent violence in Acapulco underscores deeper issues within Mexico’s judicial system, where over 80% of murder cases remain unsolved, and approximately 90% of detained suspects are eventually released. The federal government has been striving to reform the court system, but progress has been gradual.
