Two recent tragedies involving Illinois families while vacationing in Mexico – the killing of three family members and the shooting death of a father days later – have reignited debate over travel safety in some parts of the country.
A Chicago teenager, his uncle and father, who had traveled to the country to celebrate their birthday, were shot to death on Christmas Eve on the side of a road in the north-central state of Durango. The teen’s father, Vicente Peña Jr., 38, and his uncle, Antonio “Tony” Fernandez, 44, both from Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, were killed in the attack, along with a third parent.
The teenager was seriously injured and placed in a coma. He was then flown to the United States for prolonged treatment.
Authorities say the group was traveling in an SUV with Illinois license plates when they were attacked in what authorities described as a surge in violent crime in the area.
Although there is no indication that the killings are linked to drug trafficking, the region is experiencing a power struggle and rising violence following the arrests of “El Mayo” Zambada – the longtime leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel – and Los Chapitos – the four sons of the famous Mexican drug lord El Chapo.
Power struggles in Sinaloa impact the border state of Durango as well as events in the so-called “Golden Triangle”, an area shared by Durango, Sinaloa and Chihuahua, which serves as the center of drug production. said drug trafficking expert Elaine Carey.
Carey said a transition of power was taking place between the cartels and that period could be extended.
A Chicago teenager is fighting for his life after a shooting left several members of his family dead during a trip to Mexico.
“But if it happens, if it is possible, it could take months or even years,” she said, translated from Spanish.
According to the expert, gaining control of the roads is essential to gaining power.
As things stand, authorities cannot reach the region due to the complex geography and the subjugation of the population to drug lords, who do not buy silence through fear alone.
“Profits from drug trafficking help these villages with a lot of things like a health system, churches, everything,” she said.
However, the “Golden Triangle” is not the only sensitive area.
Jesús Macías, a Rockford resident, was shot and killed in the central Mexican state of Zacatecas while visiting family for the holidays. The U.S. State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory to the state due to crimes and kidnappings.
Macías was shot after refusing to stop at what his family described as an improvised checkpoint by strangers. Relatives told NBC that Chicago authorities have yet to provide any answers about the shooting.
Those traveling to Durango, where the group of relatives was shot, should “exercise increased caution due to crime,” according to the State Department.
“Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango,” the department warned.
Experts are encouraging U.S. residents with family in these areas to postpone travel and take extreme safety precautions if a visit is necessary.
NBC Chicago
