A California couple, Gloria Ambriz, 50, and Rafael Cardona, 53, were fatally shot while vacationing in Michoacán, Mexico, a state plagued by ongoing violence linked to organized crime. The attack occurred late Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Santiago Tangamandapio, according to the Michoacán State Attorney General’s Office.

The couple was ambushed in their black Ford pickup truck by unidentified gunmen. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and are working to identify the perpetrators. Santiago Tangamandapio is one of many areas in Michoacán where criminal groups frequently clash over territory and trafficking routes.

Michoacán has become a hotspot for cartel violence, leading the U.S. Department of State to issue repeated travel advisories warning Americans of the risks of visiting the region. Gloria and Rafael’s deaths underscore the dangers many tourists face when venturing into high-risk areas. The State Department’s current advisory for Michoacán, issued in October 2024, advises against all travel due to crime and kidnapping concerns.

Residents in Santiago Tangamandapio report frequent violent confrontations, with one witness saying, “It’s not safe to drive here, even during the day.” The violence has also disrupted local businesses and tourism, once a source of revenue for the region.

Rafael Cardona and Gloria Ambriz were longtime residents of California with ties to the municipality of Angamacutiro, where they owned a home. Cardona was the brother-in-law of the local mayor, Hermes Pacheco. The couple often visited the region, which made the attack particularly shocking to the local community. Authorities continue to investigate the case while expressing concern over rising violence in Michoacán.

The investigation is ongoing, with local and federal authorities working to ensure justice for the couple. However, the region’s history of impunity casts doubt on whether the perpetrators will be held accountable.