Four Men, Including Officer, Shot Dead Near Cancun

Authorities in Mexico's Caribbean region reported the discovery of four bodies, including that of a police officer, shot execution-style near a highway south of Cancun. The victims, all believed to have been shot in the head, were found on Thursday, prompting an investigation into their possible connections to organized crime. Luis Rodríguez Bucio, assistant head of Mexico's Public Safety Department, indicated that the deceased may have been involved in migrant smuggling operations. Among the victims was a Cancun police officer who had faced allegations of accepting bribes to protect local brothels. At the time of his death, he was on medical leave. A former police officer was apprehended at the scene while rummaging through the pockets of one of the deceased, claiming the victim was a friend. This incident raises concerns about corruption within the police force amid ongoing violence linked to drug cartels. The killings are suspected to be connected to a recent raid in Cancun that resulted in the seizure of firearms and narcotics. Bucio noted that over two-thirds of the 88 murders reported nationwide on Thursday were believed to be cartel-related, highlighting the pervasive influence of organized crime in the region. The Caribbean coast, particularly Cancun, has become a hotspot for migrant smuggling due to its strategic location and tourist traffic. This incident follows a recent spate of violence, including the tragic killing of a 12-year-old boy by gunmen on jet skis at a Cancun beach, underscoring the escalating territorial disputes among drug dealers in popular tourist areas.