In Villa Ahumada, a shootout between gang memebers and the Mexican military broke out. The body count was at 21, adding the total of drug-related violence to 6,000 people this year alone. In addition to the U.S. donations of $400 million, the Mexican military has launched an extra 46,000 troops into the danger zones.

The recent gang wars are becoming a serious threat to not only residents, but also tourists. The economy is already in ruins and if tourism declines, the situation will only get worse.

Many of these drug-related gang wars are taking place in northern Mexico, far from the popular spring break destinations. In light of these current violent events, I stil plan on traveling to Mexico. Mexico may be considered dangerous but the same can be said for any other country.