The man executed outside a five-star resort in Cancun has been identified as a local drug dealer involved in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy on the beach next to the hotel in July.
The victim, a 30-year-old Mexican national, was shot to death outside the RIU Palace Las Americas hotel on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a Cancun police report, the gunmen arrived at Caracol Beach on jet skis and fired four shots at rival drug dealers who were walking near the pool area.
The suspects fled towards the Caribbean, wearing black clothing and orange life jackets.
Hotel employees rendered medical aid to the victim, but he died before paramedics arrived.
A 30-year-old man, an alleged drug trafficker, was shot dead on the beach in front of the RIU Palace Las Americas hotel in the Mexican resort town of Cancun on Wednesday. The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office announced that the victim was involved in a July 28 shooting that left a 12-year-old boy dead on the beach next to RIU Cancun.
The RIU Palace Las Americas hotel said in a statement that employees provided medical aid to the 30-year-old man, an alleged drug dealer, but he died before paramedics arrived.
Quintana Roo’s attorney general’s office said in a statement that the victim approached the coast of Caracol Beach on one of two jet skis, where he was confronted by a rival drug dealer.
One of the bullets struck 12-year-old Santiago in the abdomen as he sat on a beach chair a few yards from the RIU Cancun hotel. The boy, from Mexico City, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
On August 4, two drug traffickers from a rival organization were arrested during an operation.
Footage of Wednesday’s shooting showed worried customers milling around the lobby of the RIU Palace Las Americas.
A man on vacation from Chile told Chilean television station TL13 that he was with a group of swimmers when the suspects started shooting.
“We were in the water, there were probably 10 Chileans in the water, and suddenly a jet ski arrived,” he recalled. “It stops on the shore, picks up someone, the person runs, someone comes from behind, and from that dock they shoot him. And there he dies at sea.”
Mexican authorities link murder of 30-year-old man at RIU Palace Las Americas hotel to fight between rival drug dealers
The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office identified the victim as a 30-year-old Mexican national.
The Chilean man said the atmosphere at the resort was normal about an hour after the dealer was executed.
“We all fled to the beach. That happened about an hour ago and now things are slowly returning to normal,” he said. “They let us go outside and go get things for those of us who have something here. First the police came, then the military arrived, and everything was very busy. is.”
A hotel spokesperson said in an email to DailyMail.com that no guests were injured in the incident.
“Our team immediately activated security and emergency protocols and worked closely with local and state authorities to provide timely attention to the injured person, who was not a guest from RIU,” the spokesperson said. said.
“We will continue to communicate and cooperate fully with the relevant authorities and assist in any way necessary to ensure the safety of all guests and employees,” they said. “We reiterate our commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers, employees, and communities.”
The U.S. State Department has listed the state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun, and another tourist hotspot, Tulum, at the Tier 2 advisory level, reminding tourists to use extra caution when visiting. It means.
“While Mexican authorities strive to protect the country’s major resort and tourist destinations, these areas are not immune to the types of violence and crime experienced in other parts of Mexico,” the warning said. are.
“In some parts of Mexico, local police are often slow to respond. Additionally, filing police reports can take time. Increased levels of cartel-related violence have led to territorial disputes and Targeted killings, resulting in innocent bystanders being injured or killed.”
Alena Golovin, a resident of Seattle, Washington, told DailyMail.com that she heard about the incident just down the road from the hotel where she and a friend were staying and saw the drug dealer shortly before he was shot. He said police were patrolling the beach.
“My experience has been really great, I haven’t had any issues and I feel safe at the resort. I noticed more police were on the beach before the shooting happened.” she said.
The 27-year-old hairdresser said water sports activities were suspended following the shooting and resumed on Thursday.
“But we felt safe all week being here and being able to leave the resort and go into the city that we were able to explore,” she said.
Mr. Golovin gave the following advice to visitors who want to spend their vacation in this resort city: “I would probably say stay inside the resort. There’s a lot to do there and avoid accepting drinks from strangers.” If someone talks to you that makes you uncomfortable, wear sunglasses. , avoid eye contact and say nothing. Cancun’s tourists are so diverse and speak so many languages that no one will know if you speak English or not. ”
