Paradise Lost: Extortion and Violence Plague Cancun and Playa del Carmen

Extortion and Violence Drive Businesses to Close in Mexico's Tourist Paradises Cancun and Playa del Carmen, once idyllic vacation spots, are facing a crisis. Organized crime is extorting businesses, leading to violence and closures. The situation is impacting tourism and the lives of residents. "Hay mucho miedo," says one business owner, "Cancun ya no es lo que era antes." (There's a lot of fear; Cancun is not what it used to be.) Videos of burned and shot-up businesses have surfaced, illustrating the severity of the situation. Another business owner stated they had to flee, leaving everything behind. Authorities are investigating, but the fear of retaliation prevents many from reporting these crimes. The decline in tourism is a further consequence of the escalating violence.