Four men and two women were found strangled and tied up in the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, bringing renewed attention to the violence plaguing Mexico.
In a gruesome discovery that has sent shockwaves through Mexico's Pacific coast, prosecutors have unearthed the bodies of four men and two women piled up on a street in the resort city of Acapulco. The victims, all bearing marks of strangulation and tied hands, were discovered late Monday night.
The identities of the victims have not been released, and authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths. This latest incident comes just days after five dismembered bodies were found scattered on a street in Acapulco, one of whom was a candidate for a town council seat in a nearby town.
Acapulco, once a popular tourist destination, has been plagued by violence in recent years, largely attributed to warring drug cartels. Mexican drug gangs have a history of using asphyxiation as a method of execution, often strangling their victims or suffocating them with duct tape or plastic bags.
The discovery of the bodies has raised concerns about the safety of tourists visiting Acapulco, which is still reeling from the effects of Category 5 Hurricane Otis that struck in October 2022. The hurricane left 52 people dead and damaged numerous beachfront hotels.
In April, Eduardo Chávez, the head of municipal traffic police in Acapulco, was shot dead in the city. Law enforcement officials suspect that drug cartels may have been responsible for the killing, as they often force bus and taxi drivers to work for them and may retaliate against officers who conduct traffic stops on their vehicles.
Videos circulating on social media in March allegedly showed drug gang enforcers brutally beating bus drivers in Acapulco for failing to provide intelligence as lookouts for the cartel.
The violence in Acapulco is not an isolated incident. The U.S. State Department advises Americans to avoid travel to Guerrero State, where Acapulco is located, "due to crime." The department warns: "Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping in previous years."
Despite the government's efforts to combat organized crime, violence continues to escalate in Acapulco and other parts of Mexico. The DEA has warned that the most ruthless Mexican cartels are operating in all 50 U.S. states, bringing turf wars and violence across the border.
As authorities continue their investigation into the latest killings, residents and tourists alike remain on edge, fearing for their safety in a city that was once known for its beauty and tranquility.
