Mexico’s extraordinary violence exposed by tourists’ killings, revealing fragmentation of organized crime

The killings of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, in Mexico have highlighted the country’s violent underbelly amidst its popularity as a tourist destination. The trio were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head after being attacked while resisting a car theft. The accused killer, Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas,” is in custody, with his girlfriend turning witness. Mexico saw over 30,000 homicides in 2023, with Baja California being a hotspot due to its criminal business volume and drug trafficking opportunities. Despite the violence, tourists continue to visit Baja California, albeit with a hidden criminal governance structure. Mexico’s crime and state often overlap due to corruption, collusion, and external pressures.

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