Mexico: Police Officer Shot Dead in Crime-Ridden Acapulco
As Acapulco is still recovering from the massive Category 5 hurricane that destroyed much of its infrastructure, the violence there has largely resumed as another police officer was killed in one of Mexico's most violent cities.
Once considered a tropical paradise where the rich and famous hang out, Acapulco is now home to some of the most violent drug cartels as they wage war with one another over control of territories to ship or sell their illegal products.
According to the Washington Post, Eduardo Chavez, who led the Municipal Traffic Police in Acapulco, was shot to death on Thursday after multiple armed men opened fire on him. He was reportedly attacked and killed on a street that was relatively far away from the resort's beaches.
Police are still investigating his death, and it is still not known which specific drug organization may be behind his killing. However, it is known that Acapulco traffic police often make traffic stops to inspect taxis and buses. This practice has angered various criminal groups as they often force bus and taxi drivers to work for them, either as scouts or couriers for their illegal wares.
In Acapulco, in particular, the drug gangs post beatings of drivers who do not agree to become their lookouts or mules; one such video showed a gang member repeatedly hitting a driver and calling him an "animal," before demanding that he check in with the gang several times a day.
Tourists Have Begun Returning to Acapulco Even Though It Remains One of Mexico's Most Violent Cities
Meanwhile, as the violence continues in Acapulco, a city with one of the highest murder rates in Mexico, tourists have begun to return to the world-famous resort city that is home to some of the most picturesque beaches on Earth.
Despite this, however, a lot of rebuilding still needs to be done, as only around 8,000 of the city's tens of thousands of hotel rooms have been repaired, with many still struggling from the onslaught of Hurricane Otis in October.
To deal with the violence and rebuilding, the Mexican government has already pledged to build about three dozen barracks for the National Guard in Acapulco. However, as the Associated Press pointed out, even with 10,000 National Guard and 6,500 soldiers, the government has not been able to keep the gang violence at bay.
Drug Trafficking Is the Main Reason Why Acapulco Is One of Mexico's Most Dangerous Cities
Acapulco is in Guerrero State and is considered one of the most beautiful resort cities in all of Mexico. However, in recent years, drug cartels and criminal organizations have taken root in the city and turned it into their own battlefield for control of the lucrative drug trafficking routes.
The violence is happening all over the state, not just in Acapulco, though the resort city does play a strategic role for organized crime groups for several reasons. According to Insight Crime, this is primarily because the state is a hub for marijuana and poppy cultivation and is a rising hub for coca. These products are then shipped from parts of the state through the port of Acapulco.
READ MORE: Mexico Army Kills 12 Alleged Cartel Gunmen in Deadly Shootout
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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