Spanish tourists raped, robbed on Acapulco beach front

Victims had arrived on vacation less than 24 hours before

*Updated Feb. 13 - Six arrested*
Guadalajara -
Six Spanish women vacationing in Acapulco were attacked on a beach front rental property early this morning by unknown assailants who raped and robbed them. A Mexican woman with them suffered a similar fate.

The assault occurred about 1:30 a.m. in Acapulco's Diamond Zone.

The seven women were lodging in a bungalow on San Ándrés Playa Encantada. The location on the map above is approximate.

The women said they were attacked by at least six men, all of whom were masked and hooded. They had been in Acapulco for less than 24 hours.

Local press sources did not state the victims' ages or hometowns. A Mexican news report said their attackers were fuertamente armados - heavily armed.

Federal, state and local police are investigating the case, which authorities called "unprecedented."

Acapulco has been severely challenged by Mexico's drug war, now in its 74th month.

10:00 p.m. Interviewed on a national television network tonight, the Guerrero state chief prosecutor said the victims are "young women in their 20s and 30s." Pictures of the bungalow where they were staying when attacked revealed a hut-like structure, almost directly on the beach. No one has been arrested or charged.

Tuesday, Feb. 5
8:30 a.m. Prosecutors specializing in sex crimes have been called in to lead the investigation. There are no suspects as of this morning. Property stolen by the assailants included two laptop and two tablet computers, several cell phones, credit cards and 8,800 pesos (almost $700 dollars).

Wednesday, Feb. 6
9:00 a.m. The Milenio news service reports this morning that the attack against the Spanish women lasted for three hours, during which time they were repeatedly assaulted.
9:00 p.m. Prosecutors in Guerrero have been interrogating eight men throughout the day. Acapulco's police chief emphasized that the men are not under arrest, but could be material witnesses. "We're continuing our interviews of them simply to see what they know about the matter." Some U.S. press sources, including CNN, have reported that arrests are imminent, but chief state prosecutor Martha Elva Garzón has not so acknowledged. Her comment: "There have been important advances in the investigation, but no concrete results." That statement strongly suggests authorities are awaiting a rape kit-DNA analysis. The six victims, who were taken to Mexico City, range in age from 24 to 38.

Feb. 5 - USA Today story, quoting Mexico Gulf Region Reporter: Six tourists raped in Acapulco
Feb. 5 - "Image of Acapulco" is on the line, admits its mayor
Feb. 6 - International press bombards Acapulco: "a death zone"
Feb. 6 - Gunmen ambush police patrol in war torn Guerrero state, leaving nine officers dead
Feb. 6 - Acapulco's tearful mayor begs Enrique Peña Nieto for federal help
Feb. 8 - Today could bring arrests in Acapulco rape case, as more disturbing details emerge
Feb. 8 - Serial rapists may be responsible for Acapulco attacks - but do police have the right men?
Feb. 13 - Mexican prosecutors announce arrests in Acapulco rapes

Feb. 1 - Security is so poor in Guerrero state that locals have formed civilian police forces

Related MGRR reports
Feb. 4 - Crime with "impunity" still the norm in much of Mexico
Feb. 1 - Yucatán safety continues to be subject of hot debate
Jan. 22 - Puerto Vallarta: tensions linger after brazen narco attack
Jan. 18 - "Violence on Yucatán soil" - against foreigners
Sept. 30 - Two executed in Cancún hotel zone
June 30 - British tourist raped and robbed on beach in Tulum, Quintana Roo
June 3 - Ten dead in 11 hours of Acapulco violence
March 19 - Acapulco: 12 dead police, 10 severed heads
Jan. 18, 2012 - American tourist, 15, sexually assaulted in Cancún hotel guest room

U.S. and foreign travel warnings about Mexico
Nov. 20, 2012 - U.S. State Dept. renews general travel alert for Mexico
Aug. 27, 2012 - U.S. State Dept. issues Guadalajara warning
Jun. 12, 2012 - U.S. State Dept. issues Mexico-wide alert, warning of "anti-American violence"
Jun. 5, 2012 - U.S. State Dept. Warning to Americans in Mexico
Mar. 31, 2012 - U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Tamaulipas issues Emergency Warning for Americans
Mar. 2, 2012 - Spring Break nears, but U.S. students are not headed to Cancún (or much of Mexico)
Feb. 8, 2012 - U.S. issues new travel alert for Mexico
Dec. 22, 2011 - U.S. warns citizens after narco terrorists launch offensive in Veracruz - 16 dead
Nov. 21, 2011 - Mexico reports major decline in tourism due to narco crime, world economic woes
Nov. 6, 2011 - 65% of Mexico declared "off limits" to foreign travelers by western nations