American Woman Killed In Mexican Drug Gang Crossfire
The latest casualty in the carnage wrought by the Mexican drug wars is a tourist from Los Angeles. Authorities report that 44-year-old Niko Honarbakhsh was fatally shot last week when she was tragically caught in gang crossfire at the once tranquil beach resort of Tulum.
Initial reports in Mexican media attempted to link the innocent victim to the drug trade, but investigators quickly dismissed the claims as false.
Tulum for many years was considered a safe haven from the violence that is tearing Mexico apart. That changed, and the U.S. State Department recently issued a travel advisory for the area over concerns of the increase in violent crime.
The agency cautioned tourists to “exercise increased situational awareness,” particularly after sundown, when visiting Mexican resorts. Officials included Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the warning.
A drug dealer named Belize was also killed in the exchange of gunfire. The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office released a report stating he possessed cocaine and “transparent bags with red and orange pills” when he died.
American woman killed by stray bullet during shootout between drug dealers in Tulum beach club https://t.co/BYosGUgDDN pic.twitter.com/WZRf5ksikZ
— New York Post (@nypost) February 12, 2024
Authorities said Belize was “identified for his probable participation” in drug trafficking and “was part of a criminal group that generated violence in the state.”
“Brown granulated powder” was also found on the deceased.
According to the New York Post, the suspects are known to authorities and a manhunt is underway. The names of those being sought have not been released.
Though shocking, this latest tragedy is far from the first instance of innocent American tourists being victimized by Mexico’s long-running drug wars.
Three years ago, California travel blogger Anjali Ryot and German Jennifer Henzold lost their lives as they were eating in a restaurant. A gun battle broke out between rival drug gangs and both were fatally shot.
The 2023 State Department advisory noted the alarming increase in such crimes as homicide, carjacking and robbery. Already notoriously unsafe, Mexico in recent years has seen violence become even more commonplace.
Officials warned the U.S. has limited means to render emergency services in Mexico. Also, services provided by the state are often confined to large cities and unavailable in rural areas.