2 foreigners murdered in Tulum in apparent crossfire over drugs

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Two Killed in Drug Dispute at Tulum Beach Club

Authorities in Tulum, Mexico have confirmed that an American woman and a man from Belize were killed in a dispute between drug traffickers at a beach club on Friday night. The Quintana Roo state prosecutor’s office stated that the American woman had no connection to the alleged drug trafficker who also died in the shooting. It is believed that the woman may have been caught in the crossfire.

The U.S. Embassy did not provide comment or release the woman’s name or hometown. The prosecutor’s office also denied reports that the two victims were a couple, citing a photo of the Belizean man with a different woman.

The man killed in the shooting was found to be carrying cocaine and pills, leading authorities to believe he was selling drugs. The suspects in the shooting have been identified and are currently being sought.

This is not the first time that foreign tourists have been caught up in violence related to drug trafficking in the area. In 2021, two tourists were murdered in Tulum while eating at a restaurant, seemingly caught in the middle of a shootout between rival drug sellers.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last year, warning travelers to “exercise extreme caution” on Mexican Caribbean beaches, particularly at night. The warning specifically mentioned popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

The incidents serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by drug-related violence in Mexico and the need for caution when traveling to these areas.