Chetumal, Q.R. — The commander of the naval region says that although they are aware of cartel gangs fighting in the area, no new gangs have been detected.
Admiral José Luis Vergara Ibarra, commander of the V Naval Region, says that as far as they know, the same criminal cells that have been fighting for a few years continue to operate in various areas of the state.
“We know of the presence of cartels that have been in the area for a long time and we have not detected any new criminal groups,” he said.
Vergara Ibarra did not identify the cartels by name or how many there are, only that “it is a significant amount”.
He says that along the peninsula, Quintana Roo is the state with the highest rate of insecurity, adding that when compared to other states in the country, “the situation is not so serious.”
He acknowledged that the murders, which are mainly registered in Benito Juárez, particularly in Cancún, are worrisome and that in order to prevent them, “vigilance operations are reinforced.”
Vergara Ibarra also said that the federal government determined that in 150 of the 266 areas noted as having the highest crime rates in the country, joint surveillance operations be established between the army, the Mexican Navy, state and municipal police.
He reported that these operations have already been implemented in the municipalities of Benito Juárez, Solidaridad, Cozumel and Othón P Blanco in Quintana Roo and in Progreso in the neighboring state of Yucatán.
