Six Dead in Baja California Sur Beach Shootout Targeting a Private Security Team

A deadly confrontation broke out Sunday afternoon in the coastal town of Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur, leaving six people dead and one more injured in what authorities described as an attack on a private security team.

According to Infobae, the shootout occurred around 1:52 p.m. on May 18 in an area known as Playa La Curva. Municipal officials responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find a grim scene: six individuals had been killed in an apparent clash between armed civilians and private security personnel hired by a local fishing cooperative.

The Baja California Sur Security Council later confirmed that three of the deceased were private security guards. The other three, according to preliminary information, were members of the armed group that initiated the attack. The identities of the victims have not been released.

Authorities have not yet apprehended any suspects. A coordinated security operation was launched in the area to locate those responsible, but as of Monday morning, no arrests had been reported. One additional person was injured in the attack; officials did not disclose if the patient belonged to the security team.

"From the first moment, the institutions that make up the Security Council have worked together with the firm intention of safeguarding the safety and peace of the region's residents," authorities stated in an official communication cited by Infobae.

Days before the confrontation, top state and federal officials gathered to discuss strategies for improving safety and reducing violent crime in the region. In that meeting, officials emphasized the need for actionable steps to reduce high-impact crime and disrupt the activities of violent criminal networks operating in the state.

Baja California Sur has long been considered a safe tourist haven for U.S. tourists and retirees. In recent years, residential projects tailored to expats have gained popularity among binational developers. According to Mexico News Daily, in places like Rosarito, real estate prices surged by 21% in 2018, driven largely by demand from U.S. residents.

Even with these increases, prices remain a fraction of comparable properties in Southern California. This economic advantage, combined with the ease of access and a favorable exchange rate, makes Baja an increasingly attractive option for American buyers.

This growth, however, comes amid ongoing security concerns. The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel advisory for Baja California Sur, recommending U.S. citizens to "reconsider" traveling there due to crime and kidnapping.

Just one year ago, the region received international attention after three surfers (two Australian citizens and one U.S. citizen) went missing and were later found dead in a cliff-top shaft.