Violence related to Mexico's battle against organized crime and drug traffickers continues to escalate, with the most recent attacks aimed at disrupting the municipal elections with the killing of governor candidate, Rodolfo Torre Cantu, on June 28.

"The majority of gun-related deaths in Mexico occur during shootouts between the military and the cartels," noted Sarah Katz, Kidnap & Ransom, Victor O. Schinnerer & Company, Inc. 

This rise in clashes between drug cartels and security forces poses indirect risks to personnel and operations in Mexico. 

Key mitigation measures include adequate screening of employees; utilizing reliable and trusted local management and assessing the Logistics Security in Mexico; providing travel advice to employees traveling to Mexico; and a thorough review of the company's crisis management plan.

"A Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion (KRE) policy that includes access to an experienced crisis response firm is an important piece of a risk management plan for companies with exposure in Mexico," Katz added. 

"KRE provides assistance and coverage in the event of a kidnapping, detention, extortion, or hijacking, and can be extended to cover response to threats and security evacuations."