Cause of Death of US Citizens in Mexico – 2017

The year 2016 saw a dramatic drop in the number of US citizens murdered in Mexico nationwide, despite the growing number of Americans living and vacationing here. According to the US Department of State, 265 Americans met unnatural ends in Mexico in 2016, but only 75 of them were homicides. (the balance included drownings, suicide, auto accidents and those other than natural death) That is a 24% drop over 2015. The statistic totals for 2017 are not available yet, but it would appear the trend shows a 25% increase in US Citizen homicides with a half year total for Mexico of 47. The year 2017 also saw an increase in total homicides in Mexico, setting a new record high. This was also the case in Baja California Sur which saw the state reach a homicide rate of 110 per 100,000 residents but did not include a single US foreign national in 2017

The following statistics are Consular reported deaths in Mexico for the first half of 2017.  Baja California and Chihuahua tied for the most dangerous with 10 American homicides. Baja California Sur, despite the cartel conflict in the state, had no homicides of US tourists, just one drowning, and one suicide. 

For more Baja Security information also see Mexico Travel Warning in Perspective

& Also see: The Current Drug War in Baja California Sur

Although the numbers may seem intimidating they need to be put in perspective. The northern state of Baja California has the highest number of US citizens in full-time residence with close to 1 million. It is also the fourth most popular state for visitors. Considering JUST the resident population, that puts the homicide rate a 1 per 100,000. 

As a visitor to Mexico has a 4 times better chance of being murdered in the US, a little better than a 2 times better chance of it being by a family member and about an equal chance of it being in your home by a gun you purchased. (statistically speaking of course) 

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-ab…