Mexico creates National Guard ‘tourist battalion’ to protect popular resorts

Mexico is deploying a 1,500-strong “tourist battalion” to protect vacationers in Cancun and nearby resorts following a spike in gang violence in the popular hot spots.

The National Guard contingent’s “permanent” presence will begin next month and comes after two tourists were shot dead in Tulum and a gang shootout at a Cancun beach resort sent tourists running for their lives.