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.

This violence is part of a nationwide trend that has intensified in recent months. Political assassinations have also surged, with at least 60 politicians killed during Mexico’s 2024 general elections. High-profile killings, such as the beheading of Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos in Guerrero state, further illustrate the ongoing dangers for both civilians and public officials.

Despite these challenges, President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to tackle the cartel crisis through social programs targeting the root causes of crime. However, critics argue that her continuation of the “hugs, not bullets” strategy has failed to stem the violence. Since 2006, when the government launched its militarized war on drugs, more than 450,000 people have been killed in cartel-related violence, with no signs of abatement.

The deaths of Ambriz and Cardona have renewed concerns about the safety of Americans traveling to Mexico. According to the State Department, more than 150 U.S. citizens were killed in Mexico in 2024, many in areas affected by cartel activity. The federal government advises travelers to avoid non-essential visits to high-risk states, including Michoacán, Jalisco, and Guerrero.

The investigation into the couple’s deaths is ongoing, with local and federal authorities collaborating to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, Mexico’s history of impunity—where more than 90% of crimes go unpunished—raises doubts about whether those responsible will face accountability.