Two female tourists visiting Mexico’s famed beach hotspot Tulum died at a bar after being caught in the crossfire of a cartel shootout. Three more tourists sustained gunshot injuries.
The shooting took place between rival gunmen fighting over the sale of drugs, the Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office (FGE) revealed in a prepared statement. Five tourists described by local outlets as German and Indian nationals were caught in the crossfire.
According to the FGE, the shooting took place on Wednesday night at a bar called La Malquerida. One of the female victims died at the scene, while the second died at a hospital. The three other victims are also being treated.
Authorities have not revealed how many gunmen took part, but described the incident as a turf fight between rival cartel “cells.” Authorities later found one of the suspected gunmen at a hospital where he was being treated for a gunshot.
Tulum, is approximately 80 miles south of Cancun. The area sees heavy international tourism for its beaches and archeological sites.
The once peaceful state of Quintana Roo has seen a dramatic rise in violence in recent years as rival cartels fight for control of the lucrative drug and sex trade serving visitors. The region is also a prime corridor for moving migrants from countries other than Central America.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can be contacted at bdarby@breitbart.com.
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