Drug Cartel Violence and Land Disputes Render Ancient Mayan Ruins Inaccessible

Mexican Government's Claims of Safety Disputed as Tourists Cancel Trips Amid Increasing Violence

Drug cartel violence and land disputes have made several ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico inaccessible, posing a significant blow to the country's tourism industry.
The Yaxchilan and Bonampak ruin sites in the Chiapas region are completely cut off due to the violence and the presence of cartel checkpoints.
Travelers to these sites are often forced to hand over identification and mobile phones at cartel checkpoints, leading many tour guides to refuse to take groups to these locations.
The Tonina site is also inaccessible due to a landowner shutting off access while seeking payment from the government.
Despite the government's claims that the sites are safe, tourists have begun to cancel trips to the area, with a reported 5% decrease in bookings.