A tragic incident occurred on December 11, 2024, when a couple from California, Gloria Ambriz, 50, and Rafael Cardona, 53, were killed while on vacation in Michoacán, Mexico. The region is known for frequent violence related to organized crime, according to the Michoacán State Attorney General’s Office.
The couple was attacked while traveling in their black Ford pickup truck by unknown armed individuals. The motive behind the attack is currently under investigation, as authorities strive to identify the culprits.
Santiago Tangamandapio, where the couple was ambushed, is among the areas in Michoacán where territorial disputes and clashes over trafficking routes among criminal groups are common.
Due to the increasing cartel violence, Michoacán has become a critical area of concern. The U.S. Department of State has issued several travel warnings urging Americans to reconsider traveling to the region. The most recent travel advisory, issued in October 2024, cautions against all travel due to the high rates of crime and kidnapping.
Reports from residents in Santiago Tangamandapio reveal a frequency of violent incidents, with one individual stating, “It’s not safe to drive here, even during the day.” This violence has severely affected local businesses and tourism, which was once a significant source of income for the region.
Gloria Ambriz and Rafael Cardona, both long-term residents of California, also had strong connections to the municipality of Angamacutiro. They owned a house there, and Cardona was the brother-in-law of the local mayor, Hermes Pacheco. Their frequent visits made their sudden attack a shocking event for the local community.
This attack is part of a broader trend of escalating violence throughout Mexico. The 2024 general elections saw a marked increase in political assassinations, with at least 60 politicians killed. The beheading of Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Guerrero state exemplifies the ongoing threats facing civilians and public officials alike.
In response to the crisis, President Claudia Sheinbaum has vowed to address the cartel violence by focusing on social programs aimed at the root causes of crime. However, her continuation of the “hugs, not bullets” strategy has drawn criticism for its apparent lack of effectiveness. Since the government started its militarized war on drugs in 2006, over 450,000 people have been killed in cartel-related violence.
The deaths of Ambriz and Cardona have reignited concerns about the safety of Americans traveling to Mexico. The State Department reported that over 150 U.S. citizens were killed in Mexico in 2024, many in areas heavily impacted by cartel activity. The federal government continues to advise citizens to avoid non-essential travel to high-risk states such as Michoacán, Jalisco, and Guerrero.
The investigation into the deaths of the California couple is still ongoing, with both local and federal authorities collaborating to bring the guilty parties to justice. However, Mexico’s history of impunity, where upwards of 90% of crimes go unpunished, raises doubts about whether justice will be served in this case.
