Resort town of Acapulco caught in violent drug war

World Today

Resort town of Acapulco caught in violent drug war

Drug and gang-related violence has long been a problem in Mexico, but tourist destinations were generally spared from danger.

Not so anymore as Acapulco is becoming known as much for its killings as its coastal resorts.

CCTV America’s Franc Contreras reports from this new “murder capital.”

In per capita terms, Acapulco is now Mexico’s murder capital. In 2015, city officials registered more than 900 murders. To quell the violence, the federal government sent in soldiers and Marines.

A state investigative police commander said local and state police have been ordered to collaborate with federal authorities.

The main goal of these coordinated security forces is to protect tourists visiting Acapulco’s beaches. In February, gunmen shot one beach-goer dead.

Local merchants told CCTV that local criminal groups have been targeting them, too.

On most days Acapulco’s Pacific coast beaches are sunny and peaceful. But on this day, authorities were gathering evidence at another crime scene.

Concerned citizens’ organizations said more than 90 percent of all such crimes here go unpunished.