BajaNomad

Baja Travel Advisory...FWIW

rdrrm8e - 8-23-2017 at 07:02 AM

A new travel advisory is out as of today. Just FYI


Mexico Travel Warning
LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 22, 2017
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas. U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico issued December 8, 2016.

For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, see our state-by-state assessments below. U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas to which the Department recommends “defer non-essential travel” in this Travel Warning. As a result of security precautions that U.S. government personnel must take while traveling to parts of Mexico, our response time to emergencies involving U.S. citizens may be hampered or delayed.

Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations and has engaged in an extensive effort to counter criminal organizations that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. There is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.

Kidnappings in Mexico take the following forms:

Traditional: victim is physically abducted and held captive until a ransom is paid for release.
Express: victim is abducted for a short time and commonly forced to withdraw money, usually from an ATM, then released.
Virtual: an extortion-by-deception scheme where a victim is contacted by phone and coerced by threats of violence to provide phone numbers of family and friends, and then isolated until the ransom is paid. Recently, hotel guests have been targets of such "virtual" kidnapping schemes.
U.S. citizens have been murdered in carjackings and highway robberies, most frequently at night and on isolated roads. Carjackers use a variety of techniques, including roadblocks, bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop, and running vehicles off the road at high speeds. There are indications that criminals target newer and larger vehicles, but drivers of old sedans and buses coming from the United States are also targeted. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from intercity travel after dark in many areas of Mexico. U.S. citizens should use toll roads (cuotas) whenever possible. In remote areas, cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent.

The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat organized criminal groups. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways by car or bus may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law enforcement personnel. In some places, criminal organizations have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

State-by-State Assessment: Below is a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico. Travelers should be mindful that even if no advisories are in effect for a given state, U.S. citizens should exercise caution throughout Mexico as crime and violence can still occur. For general information about travel and other conditions in Mexico, see our Country Specific Information.

Aguascalientes: Intercity travel at night is prohibited for U.S. government personnel.

Baja California (includes Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, and Mexicali): Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. According to the Baja California State Secretariat for Public Security, the state of Baja California experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents injuring innocent bystanders have occurred during daylight hours. Due to poor cellular service and general road conditions, U.S. government personnel are only allowed to travel on “La Rumarosa” between Mexicali-Tijuana on the toll road during daylight hours.

Baja California Sur (includes Los Cabos and La Paz): Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state. Exercise caution as Baja California Sur continues to experience a high rate of homicides. According to Secretaría de Seguridad Pública del Estado de Baja California and Secretaría de Gobernación statistics, the state of Baja California Sur experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.

Tres Rios - 8-23-2017 at 07:28 AM

Just saw this on a FB post this am. Will follow BCS noticias to stay informed on the current situ down there....

chuckie - 8-23-2017 at 07:33 AM

Shouldn't post this stuff, runs property values down....

woody with a view - 8-23-2017 at 07:34 AM

Where's the travel advisory for Chicago?

chuckie - 8-23-2017 at 07:40 AM

In Chicago,??? Don't forget Syria

rts551 - 8-23-2017 at 08:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Where's the travel advisory for Chicago?


On the Chicago forum.

David K - 8-23-2017 at 08:42 AM

Just spent almost two weeks all around Baja Sur and didn't hear one gunshot... even spent four nights in a "violent" area of La Paz. How did I miss out on so much drama?
:biggrin:
:cool:

Tres Rios - 8-23-2017 at 08:42 AM

i'd be ok with me if property went down.... then maybe I could afford to buy something in Baja. jkd :cool:

JoeJustJoe - 8-23-2017 at 09:20 AM

Yawn.

It's basically the same travel advisory, the U.S. Department of State, issued in December, 8, 2016, especially in regards to Baja California, and Baja California, sur, although I do see a few minor differences in some areas.

The most notable differences that I see is that U.S. government personnel are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs, and casinos in many cities throughout Mexico! The good news, for U.S government personnel,is they can visit as many adult clubs, and casinos in Baja, and places like Tijuana!

Again the U.S State Departments, repeated again there is no evidence that criminal organizations target U.S. citizens, and resort and tourists destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border regions or in areas along major trafficking routes.

One thing that is new that we didn't see before, is the U.S. State Department, mentions the state of Quintana Roo ,where Cancun, and Playa del Carmen, are located.

But the warning is pretty benign, as far as travel warnings go. Basically the U.S. Department of State, wants Americans traveling to Quintana Roo to know, that this state has seen an increase in homicides rates compared to the year before, and again tells us these homicides are tuft battles between criminal groups.

A serious travel warning to some places in Mexico, are written like this:

Jalisco (includes Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Lake Chapala): U.S. citizens should defer non-essential travel to areas that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas because of continued instability.
_______________________

This is what I call a 'light weight" travel warning of awareness, in Quintana Roo, and you'll notice it doesn't try to limit or discourage travel to the region.
__________________________________
Quintana Roo (includes Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum): U.S. citizens should be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, the state of Quintana Roo experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured or killed, have occurred.
____________________________
JJJ comments:

BTW there is no stupid warning about alleged tainted alcohol, that made the U.S State Department's, travel warning. You drink too much, you basically only have yourself to blame.


[Edited on 8-23-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

TMW - 8-23-2017 at 09:56 AM

I'm not going to Baja until the situation improves. Maybe next week or next month.

StuckSucks - 8-23-2017 at 10:23 AM

Just before I drove to San Jose del Cabo for the NORRA 1000, the Department of State released the same kind of alert, telling me people are being gunned down there by the hundreds. Guess what? We had an awesome, uneventful time.

Perhaps time to revisit? WARNING: a couple potty words!

motoged - 8-23-2017 at 10:33 AM

Great informational video :coolup:

"Hookers and blow".....need to add that to my list for Baja adventuring next trip.....

chuckie - 8-23-2017 at 10:41 AM

You would never spend the Money

SFandH - 8-23-2017 at 03:05 PM

:lol: good video!

jbcoug - 8-23-2017 at 07:43 PM

Stuck,

Thanks for bringing that video back around, it only seems to get better!

BooJumMan - 8-23-2017 at 08:10 PM

Who cares... I hope it discourages Americans from going down there! I go to Mexico to be in Mexico. The less gringos, the better ;)

[Edited on 8-24-2017 by BooJumMan]

rts551 - 8-23-2017 at 09:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Just spent almost two weeks all around Baja Sur and didn't hear one gunshot... even spent four nights in a "violent" area of La Paz. How did I miss out on so much drama?
:biggrin:
:cool:


Guess you just missed it. Ex deputy attorney General gunned down this morning. Upscale neighborhood though. Not where you were staying.

http://www.bcsnoticias.mx/confirma-pgje-que-hombre-ejecutado...

chuckie - 8-24-2017 at 03:25 AM

Selective perception?

JoeJustJoe - 8-24-2017 at 08:00 AM

The main point from the article:

"We could either succumb to the fear or we could continue doing what we do and just be mindful of our surroundings, like we would in any city."
____________________________________________________
San Diego tour companies not worried about Mexico travel warning

No plans to cancel trips or alter itineraries

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Tour companies across San Diego say this week's travel warning from the U.S. State Department won't affect their trips.

American citizens are being warned to be wary of certain areas in Mexico where crime is on the rise. Those areas include Baja, a popular destination for day trips from San Diego.

"You [have to] take it with a grain of salt," said Myron Stam, owner of Day Tripper Tours in El Cajon.

Stam's company has a trip planned to Puerto Nueva this weekend, and it's sold out.

"It's like going to Chicago," he said. "We don't cancel our tours to Chicago every time something goes on, some kind of crime."

read the rest here:

http://www.10news.com/news/san-diego-tour-companies-not-worr...

Boulder bob222 - 8-24-2017 at 09:04 AM

No problem, if you get kidnapped just start a "go fund me account" and all the nomads will come to your rescue. Maybe!

redmesa - 8-24-2017 at 09:07 AM

First, I love Baja and have property there. I often travel alone and have never had a bad experience. That being said, I think we do a disservice to the Mexican by glossing over the true and frightening events happening in Mexico. Many of the locals are paranoid and worried. The facts speak for themselves and I hope they create some positive actions to protect the citizens of the country. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/07/mexico-violence-peaks-...

chuckie - 8-24-2017 at 09:23 AM

That has been my point..Many people don't want to hear the bad news, and keep their heads in the sand. Informed people may actually do something about the situation.

BajaBlanca - 8-24-2017 at 10:00 AM

Happy to report that as of late the crime in La Bocana is petty theft (druggies), and a safe with a largish amount of cash (inside job).

Paco Facullo - 8-24-2017 at 10:12 AM

I was told by most all my friends and family back in early 2000's that I would certainly be kidnapped and or killed on my many trips to Colombia.
Guess what ? I had some of the best times in my life !

Even ended up with a girlfriend from Medellin for two years, Man was she HOT ! and FUN .....

BajaTed - 8-24-2017 at 10:13 AM

According to the LA Times analysis, one of the reasons speculated about the Los Cabos area crime rate was the social anarchy caused by the development rate. Point being IMHO is that its NOT all the cartel folks at the root, its a new level of crime due to lack of span of control by the cartels.

JoeJustJoe - 8-24-2017 at 02:51 PM

"Fox News" expected that after the new updated travel warning to Mexico, that tourism was just going to dry up and die.

What Fox fails to mention, is that the U.S State department travel warnings, varied, from serious warnings, to defer non-essential travel, to light-weight awareness warnings about an increase in homicides from the previous year. There are also a handful of states in Mexico, that do not have any travel warning at all.

_______________________________________

Mexico-bound travelers ignore State Department warning

SAN DIEGO – Travelers, including many Americans, at the Cross Border Xpress in Otay Mesa Wednesday night appeared to ignore a warning issued by the U.S. government to avoid many tourist spots in Mexico.

The Cross Border Xpress has become a popular exit point for people leaving the United States and catching flights to many destinations in Mexico. No one FOX 5 spoke with there expressed any reservations about visiting the country.

"It's going to be fine," said Daniela Aguilar, who was headed to Guadalajara. Guadalajara is one of the cities the U.S. Department of State warns against traveling to.

South Bay resident Axel Mora says the travel warning has political implications.

"I think it's just someone brain washing somebody saying, 'don't go there, let's hurt Mexico some other way,'" Mora said. "Everything has to do with politics of 'you’re not paying for the wall, we shouldn't pay for the wall.’ That's what it is."

U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery in various Mexican states, according to the State Department. Shootouts between rival criminal organizations and with Mexican authorities have taken place in public places during the day, according to the warning.

"Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state," the warning stated.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas included in the warning, although there's no evidence that U.S. citizens are being targeted.

http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/08/23/mexico-bound-travelers-ig...

[Edited on 8-24-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

ELINVESTIG8R - 8-24-2017 at 02:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe  
"Fox News" expected that after the new updated travel warning to Mexico, that tourism was just going to dry up and die.

What Fox fails to mention, is that the U.S State department travel warnings, varied, from serious warnings, to defer non-essential travel, to light-weight awareness warnings about an increase in homicides from the previous year. There are also a handful of states in Mexico, that do not have any travel warning at all.

FAKE NEWS REPORTER JIHAD IS F.O.S.

_______________________________________

Mexico-bound travelers ignore State Department warning

SAN DIEGO – Travelers, including many Americans, at the Cross Border Xpress in Otay Mesa Wednesday night appeared to ignore a warning issued by the U.S. government to avoid many tourist spots in Mexico.

The Cross Border Xpress has become a popular exit point for people leaving the United States and catching flights to many destinations in Mexico. No one FOX 5 spoke with there expressed any reservations about visiting the country.

"It's going to be fine," said Daniela Aguilar, who was headed to Guadalajara. Guadalajara is one of the cities the U.S. Department of State warns against traveling to.

South Bay resident Axel Mora says the travel warning has political implications.

"I think it's just someone brain washing somebody saying, 'don't go there, let's hurt Mexico some other way,'" Mora said. "Everything has to do with politics of 'you’re not paying for the wall, we shouldn't pay for the wall.’ That's what it is."

U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery in various Mexican states, according to the State Department. Shootouts between rival criminal organizations and with Mexican authorities have taken place in public places during the day, according to the warning.

"Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state," the warning stated.

U.S. government personnel and their families are prohibited from personal travel to all areas included in the warning, although there's no evidence that U.S. citizens are being targeted.

http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/08/23/mexico-bound-travelers-ig...

[Edited on 8-24-2017 by JoeJustJoe]

norte - 8-24-2017 at 07:19 PM

These reports are not going to stop tourism... for those that have real estate interests...or real estate speculism. Crime is real in Mexico. There are members here that have reported crime. One of the biggest threads were of two people murdered in a van.

People will still go...for a variety of reasons. Best the go armed with the best information possible.

willardguy - 8-24-2017 at 08:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
These reports are not going to stop tourism... for those that have real estate interests...or real estate speculism. Crime is real in Mexico. There are members here that have reported crime. One of the biggest threads were of two people murdered in a van.

People will still go...for a variety of reasons. Best the go armed with the best information possible.


simple as that.

chuckie - 8-24-2017 at 09:24 PM

Si...