Massive New Military Police Base Opens Near Cancun
As part of an ongoing effort to reassure tourists that Mexico is safe to visit, a new, 2,850-member military police base has opened just outside of Cancun, according to an Associated Press report published in
The Washington Post
. Military police officers have been used in Mexico to help the local police combat gangs, and it's expected that a larger security presence near the popular vacation town will help visitors feel safer.
Related: State Department Warns Against Mexico Travel, But Is It Unsafe?
Cancun has seen an increase in violent crimes this year, with 342 homicides in the first eight months of 2018, compared to 148 over the same period in 2017, according to the AP report. However, the vast majority of these crimes are drug or gang related, and do not involve tourists.
Related: The 13 Safest Places in Mexico for Travelers
Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto said that Cancun and nearby areas "should offer optimal security conditions for the millions of visitors who come here each year."
The
U.S. State Department
currently lists Cancun at a level two rating ("exercise increased caution"), which is the same warning as France, the United Kingdom, and many other European countries.
Is Cancun still on your vacation destination list?