Mexican Authorities Impose Restrictions on Halloween Costumes: No Gangsters Allowed

mexico - Mexican authorities have imposed restrictions on Halloween costumes in order to ensure the safety of the population. Dressing up as gangsters was banned due to the increased gang violence in the country.

Several local authorities in Mexico have imposed restrictions on Halloween costumes in order to ensure the safety of the population. Dressing up as gangsters was banned due to the increased gang violence in the country.

In Sinaloa, the hometown of drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán who led the Sinaloa cartel, residents were asked not to dress up as bandits. Plastic weapons, tactical gear, and other costumes that could alarm the police or cause fear among the population were to be avoided, said Gerardo Medina, the head of the state of Sinaloa. Those who disregarded the measures were considered to be endorsing a criminal act, which is a crime, he warned.

In cities like Tijuana and Rosarito, in the state of Baja California, it was forbidden for safety reasons to wear masks and makeup that covered the entire face, according to Mexican media.

In addition to traditional Halloween costumes, masks of El Chapo were also found in markets and stores in Mexico City. The drug lord was sentenced to life in prison in the United States in 2019 for leading a drug cartel, 26 drug-related crimes, and a murder conspiracy.

Halloween precedes the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a traditional Mexican celebration on November 1st and 2nd, during which deceased family members are remembered at home and in cemeteries.