Mexico: Homicide rates increase in Mexico City /update 1

Event

Homicide rates reached record highs in Mexico City during the first four months of 2018. According to official statistics, there were 382 homicides between January 1 and April 30, with an average daily rate of 3.1. This represents a 14 percent increase compared to the same time period in 2017. Mexico City officials deny that the rise in murders is linked to organized crime and instead assert they are largely linked to personal fights or acts of revenge.

Context

However, fierce turf wars between competing and increasingly fragmented cartels are on the rise in much of the country and violence in parts of Mexico is spiraling out of control as cartels adopt increasingly militarized tactics. Business owners and government figures are also targeted, and bystanders can be caught up in the crossfire. 2017 was the most violent year on record based on violent crime indicators.

Advice

Individuals present in Mexico City are advised to remain vigilant, to vary daily routines, and to refrain from sharing personal information with unknown persons to reduce the risk of being targeted by potential kidnappers. If attacked, remain calm, do not offer any resistance, and obey all demands issued by your assailant(s). Do everything in your power to keep the situation as calm as possible (accept offered food, engage in conversation initiated by your captors, avoid all political or potentially inflammatory topics, do not do anything that would alarm your captors, etc.).