The U.S. Department of State has issued a stark warning to American tourists following a surge of cartel violence in the popular beach resort area of Los Cabos. The spike in cartel activity raises fresh concerns about security in one of Mexico’s most visited coastal destinations, just as the summer travel season begins. Officials are urging visitors to remain vigilant and prepare to shelter in place if violence erupts nearby.
Breitbart News reports that the alert follows a week of escalating bloodshed throughout the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The violence — fueled by a fierce turf war between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel, namely the “Chapitos” and the “Mayos” — has included not only targeted killings and shootings but also a terrifying new tactic: setting public buses ablaze, even while passengers are inside.
Multiple attacks were reported in the cities of La Paz and Los Cabos. Shocking videos shared on social media show gunmen storming city buses, dousing them with fuel, and setting them on fire. In one video, three men are seen lighting a bus aflame as terrified passengers scramble to escape.
Authorities believe the latest attacks mirror similar tactics seen in the neighboring state of Sinaloa, where both cartel factions have routinely torched vehicles and businesses linked to their rivals. Despite repeated assurances from Mexico’s federal government that tourist areas remain safe, the increasingly brazen acts of violence have claimed numerous innocent lives.
Earlier in the week, the violence included targeted attacks on police officers, further escalating tensions across the region. As of Friday afternoon, U.S. consular officials had sent out urgent security alerts, advising tourists to monitor local media, avoid large gatherings, and immediately seek shelter if violence breaks out.
