Cops invited The Sun to ride along with them for the day as they patrolled the beaches, bars and roads in the main tourist district of Cancun. 1.3 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free Wifi Free parking All Inclusive Sandos Playacar View Hotel 23,514 reviews 1.6 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free parking Pool All Inclusive Iberostar Tucan View Hotel 10,688 reviews 1.7 miles from Hotel Xcaret Mexico Free parking Pool Special offer Visit hotel website All Inclusive Iberostar Quetzal The salesman keeps moving down the beach to attract new customers. Just two months ago, the leader of one of the drug gangs battling for Playa del Carmen the feared Sinaloa Cartel gave an anonymous interview from a narco safe house in the city. No less than three of the staff I spoke with said that this is the ultimate tourist spot to work. Hes not going to care and Im not going to care.. And lastly The lifeguard who always came and shook my hand every morning lots of questions really fun and entertaining guy Edgar. Mexico is a big country. I quickly noticed a male/female couple. They were using the beach as a well-protected place to hide in plain sight. Erce Omar Peraza Aquilar, a rookie cop who has been with the force for six months, said a new CCTV system sees hundreds of cameras around Cancun broadcast back to one main office. If the tourists stop coming to Mexico, it becomes much harder for the cartels to operate. For the cartels, it's all about controlling their turf and controlling all aspects of criminal activity, he said. The short answer is no, the cartel does not own resorts in Mexico. "They're killing each other," added her friend, Brent Piece, 60, a retired Canadian whose young . I never saw them actually sell a single cigar. The Gulf Cartels primary base is in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and it has a strong presence in the state of San Luis Potos. The dealers walk back and forth on the beach pretending to sell some type of product. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The South Texas HIDTA region is home to a number of smaller drug trafficking organizations (DTOs). At The Hotel Xcaret Mxico, we are very proud of the standard of service and facilities that we provide, ensuring each guest who visits has the most memorable of experiences. None of them were wearing the hotel bracelet. Photos appeared to show that Snow had been beaten on most of his body, except his head and face. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Cartels, Drugs, and Human Trafficking in a Vacation Paradise, 2020 Active Response Training - Made with , Weekend Knowledge Dump- February 24, 2023, Weekend Knowledge Dump- February 17, 2023, Guide to Concealed Carry Holsters and Accessories. I people watched all day long. This all inclusive resort is one of the most fantastic resorts we've ever been to. But now the new cartel members, like those from Jalisco New Generation, dont respect the old rules. He takes your money for the drugs. In January, a bloody shootout between its cartel members and a rival gang left seven dead in Cancun. I would say make sure you're in groups, not walking anywhere alone. Cancn is a beautiful resort town located on the east coast of Mexico. The water provided by the hotel is the Only option and it WILL make you sick! Dear Haley93grace,We would like to thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be your hosts at Hotel Xcaret Mexico for such an important moment in your life as your wedding. The governor has frequently attempted to downplay the cartels influence, in order to appear more image-conscious. The resort is awesome, the attractions are awesome but what really makes this place is the people. In June, an American tourist was wounded while on holidayafter hitmen on jet skis sprayed a beach with bullets in a turf war with a rival drug gang. Its truly astonishing to really see what so many other folks fail to observe. There is no definitive answer to this question, as there is no centralized government control over all of Mexico City. It is a popular tourist destination for its beaches, resorts, and nightlife. Cancn is also safe, despite the recent cartel rivalries, but the authority has done a great job to keep the streets safe. The primary source of economic activity is tourism. Jose angel in the main dining room challenge just to speak Spanish in a way that was fun and entertaining. I observed an anomaly. They set the prices. I think he just did that to appease the resort owners and also to give a false sense of security to the tourists that go to Mexico.. We visited the tourist trap - where large hotels sit close to poverty-stricken neighbourhoods. Does The Cartel Own Resorts In Mexico The short answer is no, the cartel does not own resorts in Mexico. The cartels that own a resort are difficult to identify. They are taking drug orders from the tourists. It resulted in the ongoing battle between the Gulf Cartel Los Zetas and the Monarchy. Becky, a support worker for disabled people, had to put frightened grandson Louie, 13, in the recovery position as they hid in the hotel, because he was repeatedly sick. The CJNG is based in the state of Jalisco and is known for its brutal violence, sophisticated drug trafficking operations, and international reach. However, it is widely believed that cartels do play a significant role in the citys operations, particularly when it comes to drug trafficking and other illegal activities. As a result, the CJNG has been linked to a number of high-profile killings, assassination attempts on government officials, and significant drug trafficking operations. People get shot. In general, though, safety in Cancun is generally considered to be better than other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Playa del Carmen in particular seems to currently be gripped by an ongoing battle which is leaving a bloody trail of bodies in its wake. Three major dynamic changes have occurred in Mexico over the last decade, which have resulted in an increase in cartel violence and activity. There is a baffling amount of information available to you if you just take the time to notice it. Mr Rivas told The Sun: Here, unlike Cancun, I do not see the local authorities supporting the work of the state against the cartels. Because of this fact, they intentionally limit the supply of weed to the dealers. Heres one of my favorite quotes on the topic from a 19th century Chinese Tai Chi master: If the opponent does not move, then I do not move. The Mexican cartels have a long history of violence and brutality. We also saw military police officers some covering their faces standing in the back of the trucks with AR rifles drawn. If people arent interested the first time you present them with your products, they probably wont suddenly want what you are selling a couple of hours later. Because of that, I was unaware of a lot of the drug and human trafficking activity at the larger resorts. This involves not only major drug trafficking, but even street level drug trafficking. This property was filthy from the outside hallways to the bugs in the rooms. Mr. Almonte told The Sun: It is not safe to go to the resorts. Playa del Carmen is a generally safe destination for solo visitors, though they should exercise caution as petty crime and scams have been known to occur in Mexico. The murder rate in Quintana Roo has increased by 335 per cent in the last two years, with 840 homicides in 2018, despite a population of just 1.5 million people. Thank you Rolando and Hotel Xcaret for making our honeymoon! Cartels are criminal organizations that are involved in a wide range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion. Do your family a favor and keep them safe and away from a cartel ran property, Dont let the Filtered Photos fool you.More, Dear trevork833,As you may imagine we were truly disrupted to read your feedback from your recent visit to Hotel Xcaret Mxico, given that I am actually quite aware of your experience at our property and the events that took place in our facilities, none of them mentioned by you on your review. By the pool Eugene and Pedro are nothing but awesome so much so we only went to that one pool every day we were at the resort. The cartel, with its reputation for ruthlessness and violence, has littered the streets of Cancun with the bodies of its victims. She told The Sun: The whole thing was absolutely terrifying. The stretch of paradise which includes the white sandy beaches of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum is blighted by cartels battling for power and territory. Mexico is a giant crime syndicate, corrupt to the core. Last week a. And last year, cartel gunmen ambushed and killed 14 state police officers in Michoacn - with some shot in the head. One hour south of Playa del Carmen is the ancient Mayan town of Tulum now a trendy tourist hotspot offering yoga retreats and luxury spa hotels. The business owners and street vendors in the resorts area are extorted by the cartels and have to pay the cartels if they want to stay in business. It is best not to pay attention to yourself or travel to unfamiliar areas. Why do I think its safe when the government and all media sources are constantly telling us how dangerous Mexico is? My husband, Michael and I had our wedding here last month and we were absolutely blown away by this resort! Some cities are more expensive, just as they are in the United States. ", 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Soldiers patrol near the State Prosecutor Office where cartel gunmen attacked in Cancun, Forensics examine the scene where a US tourist was hit by a stray bullet in cartel crossfire, The murderous gangsters have been creeping closer to the tourist enclaves, Mexican forensic police members at the scene of a deadly shooting in Cancun, Mexican police battle drug cartels on the beaches of Cancn, Inside bloody world of Cancuns cartel wars as gangsters behead and torture rivals yards from luxury resorts, Man 'put hand over schoolgirl's mouth' and tried to pull This in itself means some politicians are handpicked by powerful cartels like the Zetas. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The vast majority of people in this population are Mexican nationals, allowing the drug cartels to attract the recruits it needs to trafficking profits. The Zetas Cartel is in charge of Quintana Roo. The state is well known for its sugar cane and cattle industries, as well as citrus and seafood industries. A source revealed: It was a fierce and bloody firefight. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of drug-related murders in Cancun, and the city has become a hot spot for cartel activity. However, it is possible that cartels do own some resorts in Mexico. It is a Caribbean island with a shoreline of 365 km and eight municipalities. Violent drug. Mexican president Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador responded to the crisis late last year by sending 1,500 uniformed National Guard troops down to the state of Quintana Roo. The CJNG has been involved in a number of high-profile crimes, including the murder of a Mexican state prosecutor, the downing of a Mexican military helicopter, and the kidnapping and murder of a Mexican marine. They had neither bracelets or swimsuits. Colombian cocaine is shipped to the state in three major ways, the most important being through the commercial ports. I guess I assumed that it is like the mafia in demanding money so they can continue to operate smoothly. Violent drug gangs are waging a bloody war in the tourist haven of Quintana Roo - visited by millions of British and American holidaymakers each year. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Despite some travelers' fears of Mexico, Cancun remains a popular tourist destination -- and not only for Americans, but for Europeans, Mexicans and South Americans alike. How do the cartels protect it and avoid getting ripped off by a competing gang? When we normally spend time in Mexico, we will rent an Air BnB condo or stay at a very small resort far outside the tourist zones. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The brave cops of Cancun wield automatic weapons while on a patrol, The Sun spoke to armed officers in Brit hotspots such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen about the rise in gun violence in the areas, The five-star resorts of Cancun sit beside crime-ridden neighbourhoods blighted by drug gangs, Experts said the ruthless members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel have made the gang the strongest in the area, Sunbathers watch as armed cops patrol the white sandy beaches of the expensive resorts, Gun-toting cops mingle with holidaymakers in Cancun, The murder rate in Cancun has increased from 205 in 2017 to 540 in 2018, Cops in the resort town are armed with guns, rifles and knives, Newly-installed CCTV in the area is helping police catch criminals. 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