All articles tagged with #drug violence
Originally Published 5 months ago — by BBC
Seventeen people, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a bar in Ecuador, amid escalating drug-related violence and organized crime, with the country experiencing a high homicide rate and significant drug trafficking activity.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by The New York Times
A UN report highlights that global cocaine use and production reached record highs in 2023, with increased trafficking into Africa and Asia, and expanding violence, especially in Europe. The report emphasizes the complex challenges in combating the drug trade, including the limitations of law enforcement efforts and the debate over legalization as a potential solution.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by DW (English)
Residents of Christiania, Denmark, joined authorities to tear up cobblestones on Pusher Street, known for drug sales, as part of a renewal project to combat rising crime and insecurity. The enclave, once a libertarian, hippie paradise, has been plagued by drug violence, prompting locals to take a stand against the situation. The removal of cobblestones marks the first step in integrating the community into the Danish capital, with plans for new infrastructure and housing. Residents hope to return to the founding ideals of art, culture, and collective living, aiming to create a peaceful and welcoming environment.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CBS News
Three farmers were killed by a roadside bomb in Michoacan, Mexico, just days after four soldiers died in a similar explosive "trap" likely set by a cartel. The use of improvised explosive devices by drug cartels in the region appears to be increasing, with 556 such devices found in Mexico between January and August 2023. Michoacan has been experiencing heightened cartel violence and intimidation, including the recent killings of political candidates, prompting the U.S. State Department to advise Americans to completely avoid the state due to widespread crime and violence.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by FRANCE 24 English
Gunmen wearing balaclavas stormed into a public television studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador, taking journalists and staff hostage live on air. The attackers, armed with rifles and grenades, forced the terrified crew onto the ground while shots were fired. The incident occurred as President Daniel Noboa grappled with a security nightmare following the escape of a high-profile gangster from prison, prompting him to declare a 60-day state of emergency and impose a nighttime curfew.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
At least seven bodies and five bags of body parts were found scattered around Monterrey, Mexico, in what appears to be an internal purge within a drug cartel based in the neighboring state of Tamaulipas. The killings are believed to be a result of acts of disloyalty within the group. Drug cartels in Mexico often leave dismembered bodies as a form of intimidation, but Monterrey had experienced a period of relative peace until this recent incident.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
Ecuadorans are voting in a tense presidential election just days after the assassination of a candidate highlighted the extent of drug violence in the country. Ecuador, squeezed between Colombia and Peru, has become a key transit point for drug trafficking, leading to increased violence and insecurity. The candidates have focused on tough-on-crime approaches, promising to bring control to prisons, boost police capabilities, and root out corruption. The next president will have limited time to address the security crisis, with only 18 months remaining of the current president's term. A runoff election is expected due to tight polls and a crowded field of candidates.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Five young men who were brutally murdered by a Mexican drug cartel were lured to meet the gang with a fake job offer. The victims, who sought employment as private security, met a contact in town and were not seen again until a graphic video of their torture and murder surfaced online. The men were deceived into a meeting with the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) cartel, who hoped to recruit them into their ranks. The bodies of the victims were later found burned and decapitated, and the investigation is ongoing to determine which cartel is responsible. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of drug cartel violence in Mexico.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Al Jazeera English
At least 10 people were killed and three others were wounded, including a five-year-old girl, in an armed attack in Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port city and economic hub. The attack occurred at a mechanic shop in the city's southwest and is believed to be related to a struggle between organized criminal groups over territorial control. Guayaquil has become a centre of a turf war between rival drug-trafficking gangs, and the killing is the latest in a recent surge of violence. The city has been under a state of emergency since April 1, and civilians have been authorized to carry and use guns for personal defence.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Four bodies were found in Cancun's hotel zone near the beach, and two suspects have been detained in the killings. The victims' nationalities and identities are unknown, and the cause of death is under investigation. This incident occurred less than a week after a U.S. tourist was shot in the leg in the nearby town of Puerto Morelos. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert warning travelers to exercise increased caution, especially after dark, at Mexico's Caribbean beach resorts due to drug gang violence.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ABC News
Four dead bodies were found in Cancun's hotel zone near the beach, and two suspects have been detained in connection with the killings. The motive and cause of death are under investigation. This incident comes after a U.S. tourist was shot in the leg in the nearby town of Puerto Morelos. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert warning travelers to exercise increased caution, especially after dark, at Mexico's Caribbean beach resorts due to drug gang violence.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Washington Post
Costa Rica, known for its peaceful and progressive democracy, is facing a surge in violence due to a growing drug addiction problem. Once a way station for illegal drugs heading to the US or Europe, Costa Rica is now suffering from its own drug abuse problems. Small-scale drug feuds are behind the majority of homicides in the country, and battles over street sales have fueled an increase in bloodshed. The expanding drug-addiction crises in Latin America are exacerbated by a lack of professional police, effective judicial systems, and treatment facilities.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by OregonLive
The US State Department has issued a travel alert for Americans planning to spend spring break in Mexico, warning travelers to exercise increased caution, especially after dark, at Caribbean beach resorts like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, which have been plagued by drug gang violence in the past. The alert also warns of the dangers of synthetic drugs and adulterated prescription pills, as well as unregulated alcohol that may be contaminated. The State Department has also listed areas in Mexico where travelers should reconsider or avoid traveling due to crime and kidnapping.