Playa del Carmen - Tourist Chief of police executed

[Phydeaux]

We're scheduled to return in early 2012. This is very bad news for Cancun & Riviera Maya tourism.

Things need to change quickly, or as I've already suggested, this area could become a ghost town in the future.

http://www.noticaribe.com.mx/rivier...enganza_de_zetas_en_ejecucion_de_policia.html

Also, from the California Examiner:

Playa Del Carmen Tourist Police Chief Shot Dead This Morning

The head of Tourist Police for the city of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo was murdered this morning in what appears to be a professional hit. Mario Gomez Frias, head of the tourist Police in the sleepy Yucatan city of Playa Del Carmen was shot multiple times, while sitting in his car, just before 6 am this morning.

Frias was shot in the head at close range, while another officer driving the car was wounded in the arm and hand, but will survive. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing at least 7 gun shots this morning, and reported that several gunmen attacked from both sides of the car, indicating a planned and potentially professional assassination.

At this time, there is no additional information on this shooting and death of the tourist police chief. It's rumored this hit was by the Zetas, who are the lone cartel organization in the region. It is assumed that this was meant as a message to police and government t o leave things as they are, after talk about increasing police pressure on the drug trade in the city.


This is the fourth shooting in about a month, in what had been a safe oasis from the cartel violence in northern and western Mexico. Playa Del Carmen is a vibrant, beautiful vacation destination, popular with Canadians and Americans, who have bought up a staggering amount of condos and houses in the area over the past 10 years. There is also a large expat community that lives in Playa Del Carmen full time. It's unclear what impact this latest murder will have on Playa del Carmen condo rentals and sales going forward, of the effect on the large number of vacationers who plan trips to the popular beach destination.

Additionally, Last Monday, in the city of Cancun, an official of the Ministry of Public Security of Benito Juárez was killed in a shopping mall.

 

[chriskre]

This article is from 2008.

 

[Phydeaux]

This article is from 2008.

The execution took place last Friday, 9 Sept. 2011. I believe an error occurred on the link I provided. It is corrected now.

 

[siesta]

Yes, this just happened a few days ago. I was set to go to Westin Lagunamar in Dec. after having a wonderful trip this past May. Had to cancel due to holiday travel schedule being too packed.

What will be interesting is how the federal government will respond. If they crackdown on the Zetas, there will surely be an increase in violence and crime and that will hurt tourism in riviera maya area, especially since if it is effective the gulf cartel will likely try to move back in to reclaim their turf, and not only youll have violence beween military and cartels, but a turf war between cartels. Much like whats happened in Acapulco. So it might not be worth it in the short term for financial purposes, and even in the long term since you cant competely eradicate the problem when drugs are still illegal and sought after (but the zetas are notoriously violent, and the federal gov. might prefer the lesser of two evils in having the gulf cartel control the area). That being said, i dont see the federal government sitting still on this one, i believe they will stir the hornets nest in the riviera maya area.

 

[Cheryl17]

I hadn't heard or read about it yet. Thank you for posting.

 

[Carol C]

The article missed a few facts. 1) Playa del Carmen is no longer "sleepy". 2) PDC is as popular with Europeans as with Americans and Canadians (many Dutch, Swiss, Germans and others own and/or manage hotels, dive shops, restaurants, etc.)

This kind of news is going to hit hard, just as they head toward high season. It's all rather sad, isn't it?

 

[Rene McDaniel]

Oh my, that is bad news for Riviera Maya tourism and Playa del Carmen. It will be very, very bad for the local economy (and all those bars & restaurants), if the cruise ships stop debarking at Playa. Cruise passengers often tend to be retirees who are risk-adverse, and it will be interesting to see how the cruise lines respond to this. It's usually pretty easy for them to replace one port-of-call with another, if they feel passengers will fear going to certain areas.

Anyways, thanks for your post. I guess I'm glad we're headed to Cabo instead of Playa for our next trip. Although I'm a little sad because I really like Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya. Such a beautiful area, and such kind & hospitable people. They certainly don't deserve another financial setback!

--- Rene

 

[kenie]

Cruise ships don't have a port of call in Playa. You may be thinking Cozumel?

I agree though that if this escalates it will be very bad news for the tourism industry. Hopefully the locals will refuse to be intimidated.....

 

[Rene McDaniel]

Cruise ships don't have a port of call in Playa. You may be thinking Cozumel?

Kenie,
You are correct in that Cozumel has been a major cruise port for many years now, and that's where most people dock. But Playa del Carmen is also a port of call for Carnival Cruise Lines, as well.

You're right in that Playa does not have a big dock for them to just walk off the ship like in Cozumel, but maybe they bring them in on the little tenders. I know 15 years ago on our first trip to Cabo, the cruise ship just parked in the bay, then took us to Cabo on the little tenders.

Anyways, we both agree -- those Playa restaurants and bars are absolutely filled with cruising tourists with money to burn. I've only been there is high season, but man-oh-man, that place was PACKED, and people were spending money like crazy!

--- Rene


Carnival Elation 5 Night Western Caribbean From Mobile
Carnival Elation - Carnival Cruise Lines

Itinerary: 5 Nights - Caribbean - Western
Mobile -> Cozumel -> Playa del Carmen (Calica) -> Mobile
Upcoming Dates: 09/19/2011, 10/03/2011
Why Go:
One of Carnival's Fantasy-class ships
Great short getaway option for families, couples, pals
Hangouts for kids, tweens and teens
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Home > Ports > Western Caribbean Cruises > Playa del Carmen (Calica)
Where You're Docked:
The small port at Calica, roughly five miles south of Playa del Carmen, is basically nothing more than a pier with a few forgettable souvenir stands nearby. Most passengers will be arriving by ferry from the busy port in Cozumel, just 12 miles across the water. Two different companies, Barcos Mexico and Ultramar, both offer ferry service for roughly $15 roundtrip. The crossing normally takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the weather

 

[kenie]

Thanks for the clarification.
I wouldn't have thunk it....I guess I didn't lol

The things I have learned through TUG


I would hate to see Playa-Cancun go the way of the border states.....
Such a beautiful place and wonderful people....