Disarming the Police in Mexico

Acapulco:

Authorities in southern Mexico have disarmed and placed under investigation the entire police force in the resort of Acapulco, claiming the force has been infiltrated by drug gangs.

Officials in Guerrero state issued arrest warrants for two Acapulco police commanders, accusing them of homicide. It was the latest fall from grace for Acapulco, which was a favourite haunt of film stars in the 1960s but has since fallen victim to warring drug gangs.

The state government said it had taken the step because of “suspicion that the force had probably been infiltrated by criminal groups” and “the complete inaction of the municipal police in fighting the crime wave”.

The remaining officers were stripped of their guns, radios and bulletproof vests and taken for background checks. Law enforcement duties in the seaside city of 800,000 people will be taken over by soldiers, marines and state police.

I hadn’t realized that things had gotten so bad in Acapulco in particular. We used to take regular trips to Laredo until the violence became too much. Nowhere can afford this sort of thing, but especially not places that rely on tourism.