Cancun 3rd most violent in 2022, with 421 intentional homicides

The municipality of Benito Juarez, located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, is home to the bustling tourist destination of Cancun. Despite its reputation as a tropical paradise, the city has unfortunately gained a reputation for its high levels of violence. In 2022, the municipality of Benito Juarez was ranked as the third most violent in the country, with 421 reported intentional homicides.

According to data collected by consulting firm TResearch, the top five most violent municipalities in 2022 were Tijuana, Baja California; Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua; Benito Juarez, Quintana Roo; Leon, Guanajuato; and Morelia, Michoacan. In total, 30,748 intentional homicides were reported nationwide in 2022.

Sadly, the problem of violence in Cancun has been on the rise in recent years. Between 2021 and 2022, intentional homicides in the municipality increased by 29.54%, from 325 to 421. The city also sees a disproportionate amount of homicides and extortions compared to the rest of the state of Quintana Roo.

Despite these alarming statistics, the municipality of Benito Juarez is still a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. The city's beaches, nightlife, and cultural attractions continue to draw visitors from around the world. However, it is important to be aware of the ongoing issue of violence and to take appropriate safety precautions while in the area.

Only in the last week of 2022, the municipality headed by Morenista Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña registered at least nine homicides. Six were perpetrated between December 24 and 25; two more on December 26 during an armed attack against a group of people who were at a party in the El Milagro neighborhood, which left two dead and four seriously wounded; and the last one just before the beginning of 2023, when a security guard was beaten to death in a building on Labna Avenue.