In a tragic incident that has underscored the precarious nature of safety in Mexico, the bodies of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, along with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, were discovered in the Pacific coast state of Baja California. The trio had gone missing in April during a surfing trip. With each victim having suffered a fatal gunshot to the head, Mexican authorities believe they were attacked by assailants who sought to steal their car tires. The main suspect, identified as Jesús Gerardo or "El Kekas," is in custody, awaiting the filing of murder charges.

The killings highlight Mexico's troubling blend of being a highly sought-after tourist destination while also grappling with pockets of extreme violence. With over 30,000 homicides occurring in 2023 for the sixth consecutive year, and over 100,000 people reported missing, the country is facing an ongoing crisis.

While violence permeates various regions of Mexico, Baja California, and particularly its capital Tijuana, has become a hyper-concentrated center for criminal activity. As the largest border city in Mexico, Tijuana sees a significant influx of people, goods, and cash traveling between Mexico and the United States. Such factors have made the city an enticing target for criminal groups looking to control its lucrative drug market and exploit opportunities for money laundering.

The instability of the criminal system itself further exacerbates the violence in Baja California. The port city of Ensenada, near where the bodies of the surfing trio were discovered, has become a hotspot due to its role in drug trafficking and the importation of precursor chemicals for substances like fentanyl and crystal meth. The struggle for control over these territories and criminal enterprises contributes to the perpetual fighting among rival groups.

Additionally, the ease of firearms trafficking from the US into Mexico has worsened the situation. Victoria Dittmar, a researcher for Insight Crime, states that gun proliferation has surged over the past decades, enabling easy access to firearms for anyone. This availability of weapons adds to the already dangerous landscape.

Despite the prevailing violence, Baja California, with its stunning landscapes, beaches, and wildlife, continues to attract tourists. The relative rarity of tourists being targeted can be attributed, in part, to the fact that organized crime groups also profit from the tourism industry. These groups resort to extorting establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs while relying on the steady flow of visitors.

However, organized crime in Mexico remains far from a seamless operation. The local criminal landscape comprises independent actors and decentralized cells making spontaneous decisions, which can lead to tragic consequences for innocent individuals. Furthermore, corruption and collusion within security forces continue to hinder effective law enforcement and accountability.

In a startling display of efficiency, local authorities swiftly pursued an investigation following the surfers' disappearance, likely driven by the desire to alleviate external pressures and reassure tourists of their safety. Within days, three suspects were apprehended, and the victims' bodies were recovered from a remote well on a ranch.

The case, according to Mexico analyst Falko Ernst, sheds light on the intersection of crime and the state, where corruption and collusion among security forces perpetuate the problem. However, when faced with external pressure or potential threats to elite and economic interests, the Mexican state has shown the capability to take action.

Sadly, this incident exposes the stark contrast in treatment between foreign victims, whose remains are often discovered, and Mexican victims, who frequently go missing without a trace. Cecilia Farfán-Méndez, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego, suggests that tiers of victims exist, with foreigners being more likely to receive attention in investigations.

The surfers' tragic deaths serve as a sobering reminder of the complex and volatile fault lines of violence that exist in Mexico, where the safety of residents and visitors alike remains unpredictable.