Acapulco's Summer Nights Shine with Vibrant LGBTI Scene

As the summer heat sizzles in Acapulco, the city's nightlife is gearing up to welcome tourists with open arms. And this year, there's an extra special treat for the LGBTI community, as exclusive bars and nightclubs catering to their tastes have popped up in the tourist zone. Sofia del Angel Mata Corona, the charismatic president of the Association of Bars, Discotheques, and Restaurants of Acapulco, predicts a staggering increase in sales of over 60 percent. The festivities are expected to draw in enthusiastic vacationers from Puebla, Cuernavaca, the State of Mexico, Monterrey, and Mexico City, creating a lively atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

To ensure the safety of revelers, a united front comprising hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs has come together to promote a secure route of nightlife hotspots in Acapulco. With the summer vacation season in full swing, more than 60 nightclubs, including bars and discotheques, are ready to swing open their doors. One such establishment that promises to be a fantastic investment is the renowned Tropic Bar. Sofia Mata also announced the emergence of recreational spots exclusively for the LGBT community in the Condesa area, including popular haunts like Happy Lobster, Baby Lobster, Oleaje, and Mangos. This thriving district is significant as it was the site of the first international beach recognized by the diverse sexual preferences of the LGBT community. Additionally, a new nightclub bar called Coco Le Club is set to debut in the Costa Azul subdivision. To ensure visitors from all walks of life feel welcome, staff members are undergoing training to provide dignified and respectful treatment to tourists of sexual diversity who grace the city's nightlife establishments.

However, the celebratory mood in Acapulco is tinged with a touch of scandal. Former Secretary of Public Security, Maximiliano "N," has been arrested in Ahome, Sinaloa, for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of two members of the Secretariat of the Navy. The accused ex-official was apprehended on June 26 by the Federal Ministerial Police near the Eighth Military Zone in Topolobambo. The navy lieutenant commander is accused of orchestrating the vanishing act of sailors Óscar Manuel González Andrade and Victoriano Rodríguez Zurita back in March 2022. The missing sailors were assigned as bodyguards for Senator José Narro Céspedes (Morena) and were reportedly under the responsibility of the detained official.

But Acapulco remains determined to enhance its security measures. The Secretariat of Public Security has joined forces with the Control, Command, Computing, Communications, and Coordination Center (C5). They have signed a groundbreaking Video Surveillance Coordination Agreement, facilitating the interconnection of C2 cameras with the C5 network. This cutting-edge collaboration ensures real-time monitoring and information sharing, bolstering crime prevention, investigation, and response capabilities. Citizens can also rely on the emergency number 911 and anonymous reporting via 089 to receive immediate attention and assistance.

In an unexpected turn of events, Acapulco's illicit underbelly is exposed. A clandestine network of pharmacies has established itself right outside the entrance of the general hospital 'El Quemado,' cunningly selling exclusive medicines meant for the health sector. The audacity of these establishments, which sprouted up in the hospital's parking lot in late 2018, has left patients' relatives fuming. While the hospital suffers from a lack of essential medications, the illegal pharmacies brazenly peddle the very drugs that should have been provided by the health authorities. Distraught family members are forced to purchase these life-saving medicines at exorbitant prices.

In a remarkable display of progress and inclusivity, the government of Acapulco has organized same-sex weddings, complete with the vibrant colors of the rainbow flag. Fifteen couples embraced their love and joined in matrimony during a grand civil ceremony held at the Parque de la Reina. Mayor Abelina Lopez Rodriguez, as the city's leading authority, officiated the event with great pride. This momentous occasion was made possible by the recent passage of a groundbreaking law by Congress in May 2023, solidifying Acapulco's commitment to equality and diversity.

While love is in the air, Acapulco's water sports industry is drowning in an economic crisis. The livelihoods of countless tourist service providers, who own recreational boats, jet skis, bananas, yachts for rent, and parachute rides, are hanging in the balance. With a little over 2,500 registered aquatic services across the city's 21 beaches, the sector is struggling to make ends meet. Some operators are even working irregularly, compounding their financial woes. The popular beaches of Hornos, Caleta, Caletilla, Puerto Marqués, Icacos, Revolcadero, Tamarindos, and Suave are among those affected, leaving both tourists and local businesses disheartened.

As Acapulco braces for the impact of tropical cyclone "Dos-E," the municipal Civil Protection unit is on high alert. Intense rainfall, gusty winds, and towering waves of 2 to 4 meters are anticipated as the cyclone, located 335 kilometers south-southeast of Acapulco, progresses. With continuous monitoring and surveillance, authorities are prepared to respond swiftly and keep the residents and visitors safe during this potentially challenging weather event.

In the dynamic city of Acapulco, where contrasting stories of celebration, scandal, economic hardship, and nature's wrath converge, life continues to unfold with its unique blend of excitement and challenges.