Yucatan Sees One Firearm Injury Every 12 Hours in 2026

Mérida, Yucatán — A total of 416 people were injured by gunfire in Yucatán between Jan. 1 and Aug. 8, 2026, according to data from Mexico’s federal Health Ministry. That works out to an average of one gunshot injury every 12 to 13 hours over the first 220 days of the year.

May recorded the highest number of injuries with 85, followed by February with 64, April with 60, March with 51, January with 47, July with 46 and June with 44. Another 11 cases were reported through Aug. 8. The most violent week was May 3–9, when 24 people were wounded — 19 men and five women — double the 12 injuries recorded during the same week in 2025.

The figures come after a recent shooting in Telchac Pueblo, where a 36-year-old man was injured by shotgun pellets after someone fired a hunting shotgun at the vehicle he was in. The pellets pierced one of the doors and struck the victim in the buttocks. He received medical attention and was reported out of danger.

The state Public Security Department said that investigators working with the State Prosecutor’s Office identified a person believed to be linked to the attack. One line of inquiry points to a personal dispute stemming from a romantic situation, and authorities said they were awaiting the corresponding court order to proceed.

The health data show gunshot injuries remained a constant presence in Yucatán throughout the year, though with sharp weekly variations. After the May peak of 24 injuries, the lowest weekly counts were recorded June 14–20, with four cases, and Aug. 2–8, with five. By that point, the state had already accumulated more than 400 gunshot injuries in 2026.