Club shooting in Playa del Carmen duing BPM festival

[jalimon]

The reason for the shooting are still not very well known but first word out said it was a drug dealer that was expelled from the bar earlier. 3 security guard dead trying to protect customers as the shooting was made from the street.

This is an horrible blow for such a magic and popular festival. The organizer of this festival is from Montreal. The club where the shooting happened is also owned by Montrealers. I go on the Riviera Maya 3-4 times per year. When I bring the kids I prefer tulum, akumal or Puerto Avanturas. But when alone or with friends it's Playa del Carmen all the way! No better place on earth to have some fun time and keeping yourself young and alive!

My heart goes to the family and friends of those affected by this horrible shooting...

Cheers,

p.s. 1 - News from the UK mention that it is in fact related to a cartel war in the area. It's the first time the area is affected by cartel war. This could be a catastrophic blow for the tourist industry...

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I was there during Christmas, while being toured around by a taxi driver and asking which pubs to go he he did mention that many pubs were not safe due to drug wars starting in the areas, he also mentioned that his family drove from southern Mexico to visit for Christmas and they do not drive after 9pm, too mant banditos and the risks are too high. When we were doing our shopping day in Playa del Carmen every 15 min we were approached to buy weed or blow, I had lot's of supplies with me so not need. I also warned my son that there is a great possibility that someone could sell him something and it would be a setup and cost me 10G to get him out of jail.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Two Canadians are among the 5 dead:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/16/americas/mexico-club-shooting/index.html

 

[jalimon]

So far 4 were killed during the shooting. No news yet if one of the 2 shooter are within the victim. From what we know so far 2 rivals may have started to shoot at each other.

One woman was killed while fleing the scene. She fell from a tall fence she was trying to climb. A friend of mine who is down there text me an hour ago. He was in a bar quite far from there but the panic reach them as well. He said many injured themselves because they were running away while being completely intoxicated by alcohol and drugs...

 

[A12B]

I heard there were 2 sets of shooting, is that correct ? One at the bar and another one couple of blocks away.

 

[K Douglas]

If this trend continues Mexico will claim more Canadian lives per year than snowmobile accidents

 

[jalimon]

True, snowmobile accidents in Mexico are quite rare

The cartel Zeta have always ruled the riviera maya. Making sure it was peaceful as it's absolutely vital for the economy of this region. They were probably in good hands with the old governor. Now there is a new Governor and it seems like they want to pass a message.

Cheers,

 

[Hans Solo]

Will people never learn. How many times have there been reports of tourist killed in Mexico? You risk your life if you vacation in Mexico.

 

[jalimon]

Will people never learn. How many times have there been reports of tourist killed in Mexico? You risk your life if you vacation in Mexico.

Not true at all for the riviera maya. It has been much much safer than Florida for many years. I have been going there for 10 years now, many times per year. Were not talking accapulco here, or worse north of Mexico along the border. It's been very safe place. And I dont' stay in all included resort.

The problem now is that it's getting victim of it's success... Hopefully it will stay under control, I sincerely hope so... I love being down there so much!

Cheers,

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Will people never learn. How many times have there been reports of tourist killed in Mexico? You risk your life if you vacation in Mexico.

Really? Kind of paranoid if you ask me, millions of people vacation in Mexico and almost never hear about tourists being killed. If you stay away from the drug trade, keep away from the shady people, do not flash large amounts of money in clubs or pubs and be respectful of the locals all will be great.

 

[Le Grand Orange]

I have been to the Cancun area many times and while the Mexican cartel is all too real, they have nothing to gain and a ton of lose by making noise in tourist areas.

Selling dime bags of weed is not exactly their business model

 

[westwoody]

The biggest assholes I ever encountered in Mexico were two Corrections Canada prison guards from Edmonton in Huatulco.
They were falling down drunk every single day, from noon onwards, for a week.
They constantly tried to wrestle with all the other guys at the bar, even some of the bar staff. They also hit on every woman in sight. Even women who were obviously with their spouse.
They also liked to show everyone their badges and ID to impress them, one even wore his ID clipped to his shirt one morning. Like Wtf are you trying to prove? I was surprised they never got robbed or really beat up bad. I was actually hoping someone would stomp them.
Probably the worst representatives Canada could have.