The once tranquil state of Yucatán is witnessing a shift, as the recent murder of 72-year-old Linda Louise Johnston, a U.S. citizen found dead in Chicxulub Puerto, highlights growing insecurity. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has identified her son, Robert J., 45, as the prime suspect, citing evidence of violence on her body.
This incident adds to an increasing trend of crimes against foreign nationals in the region, where individuals seeking peace and stability are facing alarming risks. Since January 2022, seven murders involving foreigners have been reported across the peninsula. Quintana Roo has documented five cases, mostly tied to organized crime, while Yucatán accounts for three cases with varied motives, according to data from the Ministry of Public Security (SSP).
Unveiling a Contradictory Reality
Statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reveal that Yucatán is home to 4,452 Americans and 626 Canadians. However, the Johnston case underscores a reality far removed from the idyllic image often marketed to attract residents and investments.
Yucatán’s reputation for safety has been tarnished by these incidents, including the deaths of French nationals Assya Madjour and Michel Amado, owners of a hostel in Valladolid, in October 2022 due to property disputes. Similarly, the January 2022 execution of Canadian Robert James Taylor in Playa del Carmen and the fatal shootings of Canadian tourists Matthew Newell and Thomas Abraham in May 2023 at the Xcaret Hotel further exemplify the deteriorating situation.
Emerging Crime Patterns and Implications
An analysis by the National Citizen Observatory indicates that crime patterns in the region are evolving unpredictably. While Quintana Roo is plagued by organized crime-related violence, Yucatán exhibits less predictable incidents. This shift has significantly impacted expatriate communities, particularly retirees drawn by Yucatán’s climate and its reputation for safety.
Despite ranking first in the Mexico Peace Index 2023, state authorities are grappling with the challenge of addressing security concerns without jeopardizing foreign investment and community growth.
Economic and Social Impacts
The financial requirements for residency in Mexico, updated in January 2025 by the National Institute of Migration (INM), demand significant income levels, creating a profile of foreigners who may be targeted by criminals. These concerns are highlighted in the study “Security and Migration in the Yucatán Peninsula,” published by El Colegio de México in March 2025.
Collaboration between Quintana Roo and Yucatán is deemed essential for implementing comprehensive strategies to address these diverging crime patterns and ensure the safety of foreign residents across the peninsula.
Source: Reporteros Hoy
