Mexico- plagued by violence

On 13 July 2017, masked men burst into a children's party in central Mexico and hacked 11 people to death.

Police received an emergency call just after midnight in the city of Tizayuca, in the central state of Hidalgo. Neighbours said four men burst into a large white tent where a family was hosting a children's party outside their home.

They stabbed to death seven women, two men and two minors, said state prosecutor Javier Lara. “The murders appear to be a settling of scores”, he told a news conference, indicating that the homeowner was involved in organised crime.

Bloodshed

Since Mexico deployed the military to fight drug trafficking in 2006, a wave of bloodshed has left more than 200,000 people dead or missing, as rival cartels wage war on each other and the army.

Murders hit a record high in May, according to the latest official data with 2,186 homicides. An average of 70 murders occur in a day and it’s the highest since the country began tracking murders 20 years ago.

Analysis

Masked men wearing police uniforms had arrived during the party and killed all the adults. Authorities have cordoned off the entire neighbourhood. The crime scene has been examined by forensic workers.

Mexico has seen a surge of deadly violence in recent months, extending to areas that were once considered relatively calm. That includes Hidalgo, which sits just north of the capital, Mexico City.

Recently, hitmen have been wiping out entire families including children.  It is a sign that the unspoken code of honour that once governed the turf wars and revenge killings of Mexico's cartels is fraying.

Assessment

Our assessment is that, the violence is largely fuelled by powerful, ultra-violent drug cartels. The government of Mexico should take measures to keep the country safe.