2017 was the most violent year in Mexico in 20 years, with 23.101 homicides recorded in late November, according to official figures. This is the highest number of homicides in the country since official statistics were collected in two decades.
The number at the end of November exceeded the corresponding figures for 2011, which was considered the most violent year so far with 22.409 recorded homicides. In November alone, 2.212 murders were recorded in Mexico. In October, the number rose to a record 2.380 homicides.
Areas hitherto unaffected by cartel clashes, such as the Baja California Sur area - which is very popular with foreign tourists - have experienced an unprecedented wave of violence this year.
Since President Felipe Calderon (2006-2012) launched the war on drug cartels with the help of the military, violence in Mexico has risen sharply. The campaign allowed the arrest of several cartel leaders, but also resulted in the fragmentation of criminal organizations and the escalation of violence in the country, according to experts.