12 dead as Mexican drug gangs target taxis

Attacks on taxis in the resort city of Acapulco have left 12 drivers and passengers dead, raising security concerns as the Mexican Open tennis tournament began there yesterday.

Acapulco has been the scene of bloody drug cartel turf wars, and taxi drivers have often been targeted for extortion or recruited by the gangs to act as lookouts or transport drugs.

The attacks began on Friday, when five drivers were found dead in or near their vehicles. On Saturday, four more drivers and three passengers were shot.