Mexico: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict – 2025

Country: Mexico Source: Insecurity Insight Please refer to the attached file. Key findings: Armed violence inside hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and rehabilitation centers continued in 2025, with these types of incidents nearly doubling in Sinaloa state. Recorded incidents involving health worker killings and kidnappings also persisted, as did the use of restraints against health workers and patients, with reports of individuals being attacked and forcibly bound. Notably, cases of armed men impersonating health care professionals in order to gain access to health facilities continued to be registered. The majority of publicly reported violence impacting health care was attributed to unidentified men with guns. The Sinaloa Cartel was named in four incidents, all occurring on April 7 in Culiacan Rosales city, Sinaloa state, when cartel members entered four rehabilitation centers. Patients faced multiple challenges when attempting to reach clinics and hospitals. Some patients, including children, died while crossing mountainous parts of Sinaloa to obtain health care. In rural areas, facilities often stood empty as doctors moved to cities, while armed groups on roads blocked access to more distant facilities.

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