12 decapitated bodies found in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula

The recent violence in Mexico, much of it drug-related, is showing no signs of letting up.

A grisly discovery Thursday on the Yucatan peninsula -- one of the country's most popular tourist destinations -- saw the violence spread to a state that, until now, largely has been spared the problems seen in other parts of Mexico. Although the Yucatan has seen scattered violence, it had not been a scene of severe fighting between drug-trafficking groups.

Ken Ellingwood reports: "In a sign of the spreading violence in Mexico, 11 decapitated bodies were found late Thursday near the colonial city of Merida on the Yucatan peninsula, officials said."

"The bodies bore signs of torture and some were unclothed. Yucatan state officials said a 12th decapitated body was found later about 120 miles south of Merida, a city that is often used as a tourist gateway to the famed Maya ruins at Chichen Itza."

Warring drug gangs have routinely decapitated rivals during the last two years as they battle for coveted routes for smuggling drugs into the United States.

Four decapitated bodies were found in Tijuana earlier this week in a incident likely linked to drug trafficking.

Drug-related violence in Mexico has grown more savage amid a crackdown on traffickers by the government of President Felipe Calderon, says Ellingwood, and more than 2,500 people have died in drug violence, according to unofficial tallies by Mexican news organizations.

Go here for our special report on the drug-related violence in Mexico, Mexico Under Siege.

Click here for more on Mexico and here for more on the drug trade across Latin America.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Photo: Mexican soldiers march in last year's Independence Day parade in Mexico City. President Felipe Calderon has deployed 40,000 soldiers and 5,000 federal police officers to try to secure large swaths of the country against entrenched drug traffickers. Credit: Deborah Bonello / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[narutofightindreamer]

Indeed Marijuana is no less worse than alchohol. They're both the same as far as impairing an individual. They're the same as far as health risks. ....William Randolph Hearst can and should be villified for such.....As far as the drug lords. Send the "Stealth Bombers" in from their base in New Mexico with a couple large lazer guided 2000 lbs. bombs through the middle of their compounds. Nothing they could do to stop that...

[mrs spots]

Carlos Fuentes and lobosolo are in the right. We should legalize marijuana, but not the really addictive substances -- the US already legalizes alcohol and tobacco! When will the powers that be recognize that suppression only generates violence and subversion?

[Greg777]

What is going on in Mexico? The country seems to be consumed with evil. Greg - Australia

[southoc]

And everyone wonders why our borders should be secured

[Carlos Fuentes]

I do not understand all this non sense about what is going in mexico with this drug cartels. I think that, first of all, we should keep in mind who is the largest consumer, of not only cocaine, but many more drugs. yes, the United States, is the largest importer of this "products". So lets not try to deviate the attention from the "real Problem" by trying to blame other countries in Latin America. Lets take responsibility and correct the problems in our house first, and then try to blame others for our incontrollable vices and avarice.

[P3epe]

Dealers killing dealers... who cares.

[juan basulto]

hi, i born and live in merida,yucatan. last july i visited L.A. for third time in the last 3 years. when i went for first time to L.A. 3 years ago i was a little afraid about the city violence and gang reputatuion but i felt safe because also i knew and trusted it in the LAPD. after thursday vilence reached my state i dont feel safe here anymore. i feel more safe in L.A. than here.
go blue and good luck dodgers in our postseason dreams.

[lobosolo]

Legalize drugs and the proper goes away.