Yucat\u00e1n, Mexico\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On May 15, 2020 Yucat\u00e1n Expat Life, a local news source reported that there have been over 100 deaths from tainted alcohol from black market purchases. Only days ago, on May 13, 2020 the New York Times<\/a> first broke the story with a headline that read, \u201cAt Least 70 Dead in Mexico from drinking Tainted Alcohol\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Times story stated that the deaths began in mid-April and were caused by the consumption of black-market alcohol. In the United States where States ordered the closure of non-essential businesses, liquor stores were deemed essential. In Mexico like other countries around the world liquor stores were determined to be not only non-essential but also a catalyst for the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mexico, like South Africa took the position that selling alcohol would encourage unwanted gatherings and irresponsible behavior from those under the influence. Both South Africa and Mexico have a history of bootleg alcohol production using methanol, a deadly substitute<\/a> for the consumable ethanol in legal spirits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Guardian based in the UK also reported the story about the surge of deaths in Mexico claiming that they learned from authorities that raids on establishments distributing the illegal alcohol have netted the confiscation of 50 gallons of tainted booze. No indication was given about where the raids took place or where exactly the death total numbers are coming from.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Guardian cited 20 deaths in Puebla, and reports of deaths in at least 4 other States. The Yucat\u00e1n Expat Life noted 9 deaths in Yucat\u00e1n along with 17 deaths in the small farming village of Chiconcuautla on Mother\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n The ban on the sale of Alcohol is a State by State and often a municipality by municipality decision in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long before the pandemic closures, fake, counterfeit, and tainted liquor has been reported by tourists for years at the all-inclusive resorts frequented by international travelers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mexico\u2019s consumer watchdog has issued repeated warnings over the dangers of adulterated alcohol, which is often peddled in nightclubs and tourist spots with all-you-can-drink promotions. While an association of small merchants warned last year that 36% of all liquor sold in Mexico was either contraband or adulterated in an industry that is controlled by organized crime cartels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Mezcal](\"https:\/\/www.safeproof.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/alcohol-sales-mexico-during-COVID-19.jpg\")
\n \t\t\tMethanol #TaintedAlcohol during #COVID-19 lockdown in Mexico claims at least 100 lives. Demand for #Liquor remains strong during Coronavirus increasing illicit and #Counterfeit alcohol production.
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