On February 9, in Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, a violent dispute linked to drug trafficking at a beach club resulted in the deaths of an American woman and a Belizean man. The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, highlighting the persistent threat of drug cartel violence in popular tourist spots.

The American victim, identified as 44-year-old Los Angeles native Niko Honarbakhsh, who was residing in Cancun, was fatally injured by stray gunfire. The Belizean man, found deceased with substances indicative of drug trafficking, had cocaine, as well as red and orange pills and brown granulated powder in his possession.

Authorities have clarified that there was no personal relationship between Honarbakhsh and the Belizean man, countering initial speculation based on erroneous media reports saying they knew each other. 

Tulum, not far from Cancun, has experienced a marked increase in cartel-related violence, moving from its serene beaches and historical Mayan ruins to becoming a backdrop for deadly confrontations. In 2021, a California travel blogger and a German tourist were caught in a shootout between rival drug traffickers while dining at a restaurant.

In response to the growing threat, the United States has issued travel advisories, urging citizens to exercise increased caution, particularly after dark, in Mexican Caribbean beach resorts including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. These advisories follow incidents where Americans suffered serious harm or were killed, including a kidnapping case in March 2023, involving cosmetic surgery tourists, which resulted in fatalities. The kidnapping occurred during a road trip and involved a drug cartel shootout. Two Americans were found dead, and two were rescued from a remote area of the Gulf Coast after being held captive for days. The victims were moved around the city by their captors to avoid the authorities. The Gulf Cartel is believed to be responsible for the kidnappings.