Mexico’s murder rate has jumped to the highest in nearly two years as violent drug cartels have taken advantage of coronavirus lockdowns, according to a report.

With shutdowns in effect, the number of homicides climbed last month to 3,000, the most since July 2018, the Sun reported.

The bloodshed overshadowed the country’s coronavirus death toll, which has reached 1,351 since the outbreak began in February, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged last week that the virus was under better control than violence from cartels.

“We are taking care of the coronavirus, but unfortunately we still have the problem with the murders,” Obrador said. “Even in this coronavirus situation, they aren’t giving up.”

The country deployed more troops to fight the pandemic than the cartels, providing an opportunity for the gangs, according to the report.

There were only 4,000 troops deployed to eradicate drug crops, while 18,600 troops were sent to enforce coronavirus lockdowns, the outlet reported.

With Post wires