The Lacandon Jungle, a popular tourist destination in southern Mexico known for its natural beauty and tranquility, has been affected by an increase in violence in the region. Clashes between rival cartels over the past three months have generated a climate of insecurity and forced tourism companies from France, England, Belgium and Mexico to take drastic measures, including avoiding the area altogether.
The Lacandon Jungle, located in the state of Chiapas, is home to stunning natural beauty and ancient Mayan ruins. For years, it has been a popular destination for tourists looking to immerse themselves in Mexico’s rich culture and biodiversity. However, the recent wave of violence between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel – New Generation has put pressure on the region’s tourism industry.
According to the Mexican company ATC Touroperadores, which represents several European and Mexican tourism agencies, the decision to cancel trips to the Lacandon jungle was made in response to the escalation of violence and concern for the safety of tourists. The areas particularly affected by this change are the Nahá lagoon and the archeological zones of Bonampak and Yaxchilán, known for their impressive Mayan ruins and spectacular nature.
According to tour operators, they have been dealing with security issues for years by taking alternative routes and avoiding certain communities. The impact of violence on the indigenous communities in the area must be considered. These communities have already been marginalized and face numerous challenges, and the decline in tourism adds to their struggles.
The violence in the Lacandon jungle is only a small part of the ongoing drug war in Mexico, which has claimed thousands of lives and left many areas of the country in a state of fear and instability. The confrontation between the two cartels for control of roads and communities has caused damage not only to the landscape but also to the local populations.
For now, the once serene and peaceful Lacandon jungle remains shrouded in violence, and this tourist destination is at stake.