Although Cancun remains a relatively safe destination for its 10 million visitors annually, no tourist hotspot is entirely risk-free. In response to some recent criminal incidents local government has deployed 600 Marines of SEMAR to strengthen safety and guarantee the well-being of travelers.
With these high visitor numbers, the city cannot afford tourists to feel unsafe; over the past five years, the number of visitors has increased by approximately 27%, with Americans and Canadians still the most frequent visitors to Mexico.
The new security strategy, approved by Governor Mara Lezama, Minister of Citizen Security Omar García Harfuch, and Semar Chief Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, is based on four fundamental pillars.
These efforts include addressing the root causes of crime, consolidating the National Guard, strengthening intelligence and investigative capabilities, and improving coordination within the Security Cabinet alongside federal entities.
Its primary purpose is to ensure the safety of both citizens and tourists in the hotel zone and other parts of the city “peace-building and pacification efforts”, Lezama said.
The 600 Marines will begin patrolling the beaches of Cancun and Isla Mujeres this week, supported by four Navy ships and four jet skis.
In line with this strategy, Quintana Roo’s security will also be strengthened by additional National Guard personnel, the governor said. Police officers will also soon be equipped with body cameras to promote transparency, Lezama said.
Is Cancun safe to travel to now?
While tourists generally consider Cancun and Isla Mujeres to be safe destinations, the recent deployment of 600 Marines to tackle crime has raised some eyebrows.
In recent months, there have been reports of several crimes involving some visitors and locals, prompting authorities to take decisive action.
Right now, Cancun authorities are pursuing a criminal gang of Cubans posing as fake journalists to commit scams and crimes.
The ‘reasonably friendly’ criminals approach unsuspecting people on the street, using ‘social engineering techniques’ – a range of strategies criminals use to manipulate people – to obtain valuable personal information and gain access to areas not normally accessible. is.
They then commit crimes such as car theft, extortion and kidnapping, which often involve a high level of violence.
The increasing number of cases involving these fake journalists has prompted a police investigation led by the Public Prosecution Service (FGE), according to local news media. So far, the gang is still on the run.
In related news, the leaders of a criminal organization responsible for several murders in Cancun’s hotel zone were finally revealed arrested last week in Merida.
The “The Navy, the Army, the National Guard, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the FGE of Yucatan and the Secretariat of Citizen Security of Quintana Roo have arrested three people in this municipality, including the leader of a criminal gang engaged in murder, extortion and drug trafficking,” authorities stated.
As for another tragic incident in the area, in July a 12-year-old Mexican boy was killed when men on jet skis arrived at a local beach and opened fire on a group of people allegedly linked to drug activity.
In 2021, a similar attack took place at a four-star resort in Cancun, where heavily armed men arrived on jet skis and opened fire indiscriminately, with no apparent specific target.
Authorities hope that with the professional support of these 600 Marines, tourists can concentrate on what really matters: enjoying Cancun’s beautiful beaches and the special Caribbean atmosphere, without worrying about safety.