Boy, 12, killed in Cancun as gunmen on jet skis open fire

Sources: Mexican prosecutors, El Universal, Associated Press, US Department of Justice

A 12-year-old boy was killed in Cancun, Mexico, on Sunday, after gunmen on jet skis opened fire, apparently aiming at rival drug dealers, according to prosecutors. The boy, a local resident, was hit by multiple stray bullets and later died in hospital. The incident, which occurred in the municipality of Benito Juárez, is being investigated by the Attorney General's office in Quintana Roo.

Gang-related Violence

The shooting is the latest in a string of gang-related violence in Mexico. On Monday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a public appeal to drug cartels to cease violence after the arrests of two high-profile drug lords last week, including Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, co-founder and alleged leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Armed Men on Jet Skis

According to the Attorney General's office, the gunmen on jet skis were likely aiming at rival drug dealers. The boy, who was lounging with his family when he was shot, was not the intended target. A person close to the family said they had spent the day in Cancun because "the child loved the beach."

A Plea for Peace

In the aftermath of the tragedy, as per the Associated Press, Obrador issued a plea for peace among the cartels. This follows the arrests of Zambada and Guzmán’s son, who are facing multiple charges for leading the Sinaloa cartel’s criminal operations, including its fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks.