'Say Nice Things About Acapulco': Governor Urges Media Silence on Violence Gabriela Gorbea - VICE News
go to original April 8, 2016

Drug and gang-related violence has long been a problem in Mexico, but tourist destinations were generally spared from danger. Not so anymore as Acapulco is becoming known as much for its killings as its coastal resorts. (CCTVAmerica)

The governor of one of Mexico's most troubled states has appealed to local media to remain silent on the violence in an effort to limit the damage it does to the tourism industry.

"I'm not minimizing anything," Héctor Astudillo, the governor of the southern state of Guerrero, told reporters earlier this week. "What I would do, and what I ask you to do as well, is to help ensure that people talk less about the unfortunate things happening in Guerrero."

The state is home to the resort city of Acapulco that long ago lost its reputation as a playground of Hollywood stars and presidential couples, but remains a top destination for Mexican tourists. It is also the driving force of the state's economy.

"Say nice things about Acapulco," the governor said, after holding a press conference in the city to present a program he promised will tackle corruption in the state. "Say nice things about Acapulco, say nice things about Acapulco, say nice things about Acapulco."

Guerrero in general, and Acapulco in particular, have suffered from bouts of intense violence ever since Mexico's drug wars began nearly a decade ago. In recent years much of the killing has been linked to the disintegration of the Beltrán Leyva cartel into many smaller, but equally violent, groups.

Special security operations have come and gone without consolidating anything approaching peace. The violence has periodically threatened to devastate the tourism industry in Acapulco and other resorts.

Read the rest at VICE News

Related: In Photos: Acapulco, Devoted to Fun and Pursued by Horror (VICE News)

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!