Mexico´s Tourist City Blurred by Political Unrest, Violence

One of Mexico´s prettiest cities has been tainted by blood and scarred with graffiti in a political conflict raising tensions in a country already on tenterhooks over a contested presidential vote.

Months of protests aimed at toppling Oaxaca state Gov. Ulises Ruiz spun out of control when gunmen believed to be off-duty police opened fire on protesters twice this week, killing one person. Five people have been killed this month.

Demonstrators, many from poor areas outside the city, have barricaded roads and burned buses, scaring residents and the few remaining tourists. Government offices, banks and tour agencies in the main square have been closed all week; shops and cafes are empty.

A favorite backpacker destination, Oaxaca city was largely quiet on Thursday, but its elegant old buildings were spray-painted with protest slogans and the air smelled of garbage burned by protesters at road junctions.

The U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens on Thursday to be careful if visiting Oaxaca. “Demonstrations have been marked by mounting violence,” it said.

Protesters smashed up a hotel named after Spanish conquistadors and painted on slogans like “tourists go home.”