Spring Break tourists headed to Cancun might want to reconsider their plans this year as President Trump’s aggressive crackdown on Mexican drug cartels has sparked increased violence in popular vacation spots. Former DEA agent Stacy Zinn warns that the timing couldn’t be worse for college students planning their annual beach getaways – and cartels don’t care about who they hurt.
At a glance:
- President Trump’s policies targeting Mexican cartels have destabilized tourist destinations like Cancun
- Nearly 30 suspected cartel leaders have been extradited to the U.S. under recent operations
- Former DEA agent warns of increased violence and uncertainty during Spring Break season
- Travelers are advised to avoid flashy displays of wealth and remain vigilant
- New party drugs like “pink cocaine” or “tusi” pose additional dangers to tourists
Trump’s Cartel Crackdown Intensifies
American students are being warned against vacationing in Mexico this year after President Donald Trump took unprecedented steps to combat Mexican drug cartels, including designating them as terrorist organizations. The measures have reportedly prompted cartels to become even more ruthless.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has so far cooperated with American demands, extraditing nearly 30 suspected cartel figures to the United States for prosecution. While positive for America, these efforts are also creating a dangerous power vacuum as rival gangs battle for control of lucrative trafficking routes.
Spring Break Safety Concerns Mount
Stacy Zinn, a retired DEA official with extensive experience combating cartel operations, warned that the current situation creates significant risks for American tourists. “Mexico is a hot potato right now with cartels being labeled as terrorist organization affiliates,” Zinn explained.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty of how the Mexican cartels are going to react,” Zinn added, noting that vacation destinations like Cancun are particularly vulnerable given their strategic importance in drug trafficking operations. Popular resort areas serve as both lucrative targets for criminal enterprises and key transportation hubs for moving drugs into the United States.
New Drug Threats Emerge
Beyond the risk of violence, experts are warning about dangerous new substances being pushed by cartels in tourist areas. The DEA has specifically highlighted “tusi” or “pink cocaine,” a potentially lethal party drug with unpredictable psychedelic effects that has become increasingly common in nightlife settings.
Zinn cautioned college students against experimenting with unfamiliar substances during their vacations, noting that a combination of psychoactive drugs and cocaine can cause dangerous side effects, and that drugs laced with fentanyl can be deadly.
Travelers who choose to go anyway are advised to avoid displaying wealth, limit alcohol consumption, and stay in groups when visiting Mexico this Spring Break season. And if your kids are planning a trip…you should probably advise them against it.
