Drug Cartel War Rocks Cozumel – Is Your Favorite Vacation Spot Safe?

Cozumel, a world-renowned cruise ship destination and Mexico's second most populous island, is experiencing an unprecedented increase in homicides due to a power struggle between organized crime groups. These groups are vying for control over the island's drug trade. The surge in violence has been primarily attributed to the arrival of members from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), who are aggressively challenging local criminal organizations for dominance.

Over the past three years, Cozumel has transformed from a peaceful island, boasting the world's top cruise ship dock, into a location where violent crimes have become alarmingly frequent. Despite this, the island's tourism industry continues to thrive. In 2023 alone, Cozumel welcomed over four million visitors on 1,156 cruises, according to data from the Quintana Roo Integral Port Administration.

However, the escalating violence is becoming a cause for concern. Data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System shows a steady rise in the homicide rate since 2021. In 2022, there were 14 recorded homicides. The following year, this number rose to 15. So far in 2024, five homicides have been reported among the island's population of approximately 88,000. This means that during the current municipal administration, there have been 36 homicides, including those recorded in the last three months of 2021.

Although these figures are relatively low compared to other regions in Mexico, the increasing trend is worrying. Cozumel is on the brink of mirroring the violence seen in other Mexican Caribbean tourist hotspots, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. In these destinations, drug trafficking-related homicides are rampant, causing collateral damage among both residents and tourists.