Confrontation between rival drug dealers in Mexico creates chaos in tourist resort

Workers and guests at a hotel in Mexico, considered popular with American tourists, experienced moments of chaos this Thursday (4), amid reports of gunfire in the vicinity.

According to local authorities, a clash between drug traffickers culminated in two deaths on a beach near the hotel in the Cancun region.

“There was a confrontation between members of drug trafficking groups on a beach in Bahía Petempich, Puerto Morelos. Two of them lost their lives on the spot,” tweeted the Quintana Roo state prosecutor.

No other serious injuries were reported. In a tweet from the state secretariat for public safety, he reported that “there are no tourists seriously injured or kidnapped.”

Puerto Morelos is a popular tourist area on the east coast of Mexico, about 25 kilometers south of Cancun.

Several Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun guests told CNN who were instructed to take shelter there for fear of a threat to the hotel.

One of the guests said he heard several gunshots while they were in the pool area and staff quickly took them to a hideout. “I was in the pool when several successive shots took place. This went on for a while and everyone went into hiding,” said the guest.

“We took care of the basement entrances and were given metal bars, even a pedestal bathroom sink, to defend ourselves,” said guest. Hyatt hotel company said the local team is cooperating with the investigation into the shooting.

“The safety and well-being of guests and colleagues is always a priority. We are aware of developments at the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun. We understand that the hotel staff immediately involved the local authorities who are on-site investigating the situation,” a Hyatt spokesman said in a statement.

The US embassy in Mexico City also “is aware of the reports and the consulate in Mérida is investigating the incident,” a spokesman told CNN.

(This text is a translation. To read the original, in English, click here)