HomeNewsBriefIncreasing Mexico Nightclub Attacks Show Crime Groups' Brazenness
BRIEF

Increasing Mexico Nightclub Attacks Show Crime Groups' Brazenness

HOMICIDES / 25 JUL 2017 BY PARKER ASMANN EN

Attacks on Mexico's nightclubs are on the rise, suggesting criminal groups are becoming increasingly willing to use public violence, and highlighting the collateral damage this dynamic has had on the country's tourist centers.

The number of deaths from attacks on nightclubs in Mexico has more than doubled in the last two and a half years, jumping from 30 in 2015 to 70 during the first six months of 2017, putting this year on track to surpass the 73 deaths that were recorded in all of 2016, El Universal reported

Extortion, revenge and ongoing territorial disputes among the country's cartels have often left Mexico's nightclubs in the middle of these confrontations, according to El Universal. 

Mexico's embattled state of Guerrero -- specifically, the municipalities of Acapulco and Chilpancingo -- has seen the most nightclub attacks; 18 incidents accounted for 26 deaths between 2015 and 2017.

PDF-volenciaenbaresMexico2

(Graphic courtesy of El Universal) 

However, Veracruz state was just as deadly, recording 26 deaths in eight attacks.

Mexico's tourist epicenters have also been caught in the violence. In Quintana Roo, for example, eight attacks were recorded between 2015 and 2017, with a total of 15 victims. The deadliest incident was an attack earlier this year on one of Playa del Carmen's most well-known nightclubs, the Blue Parrot, which left five dead and 20 injured. 

In total, nightclub attacks in Mexico caused 173 deaths between 2015 and 2017. 

InSight Crime Analysis 

Mexico's nightclubs are at the center of the country's tourism industry, which last year attracted 35 million visitors, generated $19.6 billion in revenue and had several locations named by the New York Times as top travel destinations. But as instances of wanton public violence increase, Mexico's renowned tourist destinations may start to suffer the impacts. 

SEE ALSO: Mexico News and Profiles

The beach resort town of Acapulco on Mexico's Pacific coast stands as a stark example of the devastating effect criminal violence can have on tourism-based economies. The once-idyllic coastal town is now engulfed by violence as criminal groups compete to control it. Now dubbed "Guerrero's Iraq," violence spiraled out of control in 2016 and prompted desperate local business leaders to call for a peace pact among citizens, the government and organized crime leaders. Since then, more than 30 businesses that were once flooded with tourists are now closed and abandoned, or waiting to be sold as tourists have disappeared.

But relatively tranquil areas largely devoid of the violence may also be in jeopardy. For example, in Mexico City -- which the New York Times named the top travel destination in the world in 2016 -- a deadly clash recently left eight dead. Further, similar incidents could impact the city's tourism industry, one of the country's most popular, which could have detrimental effects on this important economic driver.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

ARGENTINA / 8 NOV 2022

Argentina’s most violent city, Rosario, looks set to beat its homicide record set one decade ago. But the city’s criminal…

CHAPITOS / 23 AUG 2021

Lacking government support and effective oversight, drug rehab centers in Mexico are being exploited by organized crime groups, which are…

BRAZIL / 24 MAR 2022

The 2021 ranking of the world's most violent cities predictably features a heavy presence by Latin American and Caribbean population…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

All Eyes on Ecuador

2 JUN 2023

Our coverage of organized crime in Ecuador continues to be a valuable resource for international and local news outlets. Internationally, Reuters cited our 2022 Homicide Round-Up,…

WORK WITH US

Open Position: Social Media and Engagement Strategist

27 MAY 2023

InSight Crime is looking for a Social Media and Engagement Strategist who will be focused on maintaining and improving InSight Crime’s reputation and interaction with its audiences through publishing activities…

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.