BajaNomad - Mexico unrest following military taking out CJNG head “El Mencho”

Intelligence requires what its name states…intelligence beyond that of the people you are bringing down.

"Intelligence"... in the sense of espionage, right?

Beccause if we're talking about the mental capacity aspect of the term, and comparing the current U.S. cabal with that of most any developed country...

You can fill in the rest.

You're not a fan of winning, got it.

On the contrary, I like many others are extremely happy to see Sheinbaum winning as rapidly as she has been. I hope she keeps up the good work she has begun and think other leaders might want to learn from her example.

Tioloco - 2-25-2026 at 09:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

Intelligence requires what its name states…intelligence beyond that of the people you are bringing down.

You're not a fan of winning, got it.

I am not sure what she has won? Trump has put immense pressure on her to do something about the cartel problem. American intelligence agencies have hand-fed the Mexican military including the latest capture/killing of El Mencho. Sheinbaum is obviously and understandably fearful of the cartels.

She is saying one thing and doing another. She is allowing American DEA and CIA agents to roam freely as well as American aircraft to surveil and collect information and is taking action at the demand of the Americans. At the same time, she is doing interviews and saying she will not go to war with the cartels.

She is in a sticky spot due to decades of her predecessor's complicity with the cartels. El Salvador President Bukele just made a speech that appeared to take direct aim at her impotence in the face of the criminal element running her country.

chippy - 2-26-2026 at 01:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

source being friends and relatives in PV.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cly07z35dn4o

Doesn't seem like source to vouch for, if they told you the store got torched. :rolleyes:

Whatever Larry.

My brother drove by sunday am and there was so much smoke from the multiple cars burning he couldn´t see the store and assumed the store was burning.

Lee - 2-26-2026 at 01:41 PM

Tioloco. Not a joke at all. We have had passive implants for pets the size of a grain of rice for decades now. Cheap and easily embedded without any outward appearance they are there.
The remote trackers on my cellphone are also extremely small and let commercial interests know the minute I enter a Best Buy for decades. Police are now busting crime rings regularly by leaving bait cars out to attract thieves. Why not firearms or are they somehow protected under privacy laws?

Hey Tio — ever meet a Canadian who thought owning a firearm was a good idea for sellf protection? 74% of gun owners in the US want to protect themselves. Sounds healthy to me.

Bet Mexicans would like that privilege.

Tag guns like luggage and animals. US gun owners know why it’ll never happen even if Canadians scratch their heads and wonder why.

Time for our Southern friends to take up arms.

JDCanuck - 2-26-2026 at 03:40 PM

For those who still think Sheinbaum is doing everything wrong and has produced no positive results try googling Operation Swarm in Mexico which began long before Trump was in office. Over 60 corrupt officials including multiple mayors arrested and charged for collusion with Cartels and extortion, etc. It all began there and has been accelerating ever since. But more illustrative is the 70 percent of Mexicans who continue to believe she is doing a good job. That’s an approval level most other global leaders only dream of attaining.

[Edited on 2-26-2026 by JDCanuck]

Tioloco - 2-26-2026 at 03:54 PM

For those who still think Sheinbaum is doing everything wrong and has produced no positive results try googling Operation Swarm in Mexico which began long before Trump was in office. Over 60 corrupt officials including multiple mayors arrested and charged for collusion with Cartels and extortion, etc. It all began there and has been accelerating ever since.

There are 2,477 mayors in Mexico..... That is NOT acceptable progress. Sheinbaum is controlled by the cartels and now is backed into a corner by Trump. Doubtful she is sleeping well.

Lee - 2-26-2026 at 04:16 PM

For those who still think Sheinbaum is doing everything wrong and has produced no positive results try googling…..

Sheinbaum is doing her best. Then she’ll leave. Doubt the bad boys will ever leave. For those critical of how she’s doing business, write what you have in mind. The solution to stopping their violence and shipping drugs to the US.

Don’t think any of it will go away. And, don’t have a dog in the fight.

BTW, surabi thinks some gun owners are choosing their firearms over the lives of children. Something like that. Too silly to even respond to. Bet she has lots of strange opinions. Glad she’s here.

Flatfish - 2-26-2026 at 08:29 PM

BREAKING — Mexican Military Arrests "El Lexus," Gulf Cartel Leader in Matamoros Raid.
Seems like they might actually be seriously going after these guys finally!

SFandH - 2-27-2026 at 06:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Flatfish

BREAKING — Mexican Military Arrests "El Lexus," Gulf Cartel Leader in Matamoros Raid.
Seems like they might actually be seriously going after these guys finally!

News story:

https://www.heraldousa.com/mexico/arrest-of-el-lexus-leader-...

bajatrailrider - 2-27-2026 at 10:27 AM

Good Point Lee. All Mexicans I know are armed guns in house few store owners also. Local police are Ok with it but not in car .

surabi - 2-27-2026 at 10:55 AM

BTW, surabi thinks some gun owners are choosing their firearms over the lives of children. Something like that. Too silly to even respond to. Bet she has lots of strange opinions. Glad she’s here.

When it was determined that seat belts save lives, seat belts were mandated. When it was found that some baby cribs and railings had slats too far apart and babies and children could get their heads stuck in them, there were regulations and safety standards implemented. Yet when the US has the shocking statistic that gun violence is the leading cause of death among children in the US, Americans still resist tooth and nail any gun control.

surabi - 2-27-2026 at 12:50 PM

Because there are already vehicle controls. Mandated seat belts and proper baby and child seats, vehicle safety inspections, drivers tests, speed limits, DUIs given and loss of driver's licenses, etc.

Of course that isn't going to stop all traffic accidents, just like more rigorous gun control isn't going to stop all gun violence, but it definitely reduces the incidence.

Also, when people own a car, that car is taken out on public roadways, where cops can pull people over for dangerous driving, failure to observe signs, non-working brake and headlights, etc.
No one goes into private homes to make sure any guns are properly stored and locked up, instead of having a loaded gun in their bedside drawer, accessible to their 3 year old.

SFandH - 2-27-2026 at 01:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

having a loaded gun in their bedside drawer, accessible to their 3 year old.

You can't fix stupid.

There are more guns in the U.S. than people. Americans will always be able to buy and own guns. It's a constitutional right, and changing the constitution is extremely difficult, as it should be.

surabi - 2-27-2026 at 02:08 PM

On another note, this is a really well-written substack article which focuses on tourism in the context of the cartel violence.

https://thehumanityarchive.substack.com/p/what-about-my-trip...

pacificobob - 2-28-2026 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

source being friends and relatives in PV.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cly07z35dn4o

Doesn't seem like source to vouch for, if they told you the store got torched. :rolleyes:

Yup, scary news factual or otherwise spreads like a fire at Costco

pacificobob - 2-28-2026 at 09:51 AM

To Lencho's point, the scariest thing I have experienced in my 60 years in Mexico, including 20 years in residence are drunk drivers. Weekends are the worst

pacificobob - 3-1-2026 at 09:24 AM

Whilst on the subject of scary things in Mexico, how many here have had their foreign plated cars seized? 🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗🦗

surfhat - 3-1-2026 at 02:10 PM

In my over fifty years of driving Baja and Baja Sur, the only issues I

have ever had were with some Federales who knew no bounds in

showing their badges power to intimidate any who crosses their path.

Every military road stop since has been respectful and appreciative of

my expressed support for them keeping the highway as safe as

possible por la gente.

The appreciation I have always received from these road check stops is a reward onto itself, and cost me

nada.

These soldiers deserve nothing less from any of us. Their appreciation is the reward every time.

It shows on their faces. The slightest respect goes a long way and costs us so little.

bajatrailrider - 3-1-2026 at 04:58 PM

My first time Baja 1975 moved here 18 years ago . Im PR never had trucks seized or anyone I know.

Lee - 3-1-2026 at 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Every military road stop since has been respectful and appreciative of

my expressed support for them keeping the highway as safe as

possible por la gente.

The appreciation I have always received from these road check stops is a reward onto itself, and cost me

nada.

These soldiers deserve nothing less from any of us. Their appreciation is the reward every time.

It shows on their faces. The slightest respect goes a long way and costs us so little.

Never read a post that sounded like a fairy tale. Not fooling anyone here who knows Baja. That's not you.

surfhat - 3-2-2026 at 01:08 PM

Lee, we all have had our own personal experiences in Baja over the decades.

What appears as a fantasy to some is in fact quite true for others.

Never meant to offend anyone by sharing my own perspective of what has worked for me since the early 70's.

The appreciation I put out to the personnel at the various military road checks shows on their faces with a smile every time.

I hope showing respect to these young soldiers is not a rare thing. Maybe it is.

They deserve nothing less from us visitors, even when we live there as I did for decades.

I grew up the son of a Greatest Generation Marine pilot. My respect for those who serve applies to these young Mexican soldiers, as well.

Thanking them for keeping the roadway safer costs me nothing. The appreciation I receive back every time is no fairy tale. It shows on their faces.

If one can give them a moment of respite from the drudgery of their jobs, I am happy to oblige.

I will continue do as I have done. No fairy tales involved.

We all make our own individual ways through the life we are given.

Semper Fi, Lee.

Being Always Faithful never ends no matter how much time goes by since time of actual service.

If I choose to show respect to these young soldiers, and I do, it represents no one else but myself and my upbringing.

You do you in your own way, and it is just as valid and deserving of respect, as anyone else.

ligui - 3-3-2026 at 07:34 AM

Will put surf hat ! :bounce:

I show them the same respect every time. Have had some great times talking with the soldiers while going thru the check points. Mostly young kids away from there homes serving their country.

They enjoy the speaking with Americans and have a lot of interest in our travels. Part of Viva Baja !

I love Mexico and people :bounce:

Lee - 3-3-2026 at 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surfhat

Lee, we all have had our own personal experiences in Baja over the decades.

What appears as a fantasy to some is in fact quite true for others.

Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative experiences.

When I'm at the SI checkpoint, there are 3-4 soldiers inspecting. One will talk with me and try to distract me while the others search my car. Opportunists will steal valuables. I have a list of things that have ''disappeared'' from my car. Respect? Good moods shared by all? Not really.

I carry nothing in my glove box or center console. Papers mostly, nothing of value. Everything is hidden well in the car or on me. I don't believe every soldier is dishonest and a thief. But I know they are there and, to me, anything of value that can be stolen while I'm distracted, WILL BE STOLEN.

Your first post comes across as fantasy. Right up with those who say Baja is safe, nothing to fear. Or those who say Baja is too dangerous to visit based on what they read online.

Fantasy works until it doesn't work. Reality is there whether you recognize it or not.

JDCanuck - 3-3-2026 at 12:43 PM

I'm looking forward to the time when those young men seeking respect and perhaps even some fear of what they can do if challenged draw them into the newly formed National Guard instead of the Cartels that previously drew them to join to gain respect.
I think the 25 who just gave their lives to protect us may start a new trend. Who knows? It worked up here. All it takes is support from the broad public instead of mistrust.

pacificobob - 3-3-2026 at 12:51 PM

I find it just darling when folks who never served remind us their patriotic credentials by telling us about a relative who did.
I didn't realize those credits were transferable.
Semper Fi? Leave that to those who earned it.

surabi - 3-3-2026 at 12:54 PM

Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative experiences.

Not sure why you would assume this. Having driven the length of the Baja several times, as well as down the west coast of the mainland, my experience is the same as surfhat's, lencho's, and ligui's. I have never been hassled at checkpoints, the soldiers have always been polite, and while I have had my vehicle inspected, I have never had them steal or plant anything.

[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]

Lee - 3-3-2026 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Clearly you've had positive experiences at checkpoints and that's an exception. I venture most people (majority) have neutral to negative experiences.

My assumption is based on the numerous inspections many here have commented on.

SI checkpoint has a bad reputation. Anyone driving through once or twice a year is not the example I'm writing about. Negative doesn't happen everyday, or for weeks. But it happens and if it's negative, it's probably SI.

Anyone thinking otherwise, is out of touch. Fine with me.

Lee - 3-3-2026 at 01:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

On another note, this is a really well-written substack article which focuses on tourism in the context of the cartel violence.

https://thehumanityarchive.substack.com/p/what-about-my-trip...

Well written article and everyone should read it. Those I've passed it on to agree.

surabi - 3-3-2026 at 01:50 PM

Thanks, Lee. I was wondering if anyone had bothered to read it.
My 21 year old granddaughter is currently living through the scenario described, which is not exclusive to events in Mexico.

She has been living and working in Dubai for the past two years. There was a drone strike a block from the hotel where she works 2 days ago. Management was MIA- no communications or protocols conveyed to staff, just told to show up for work as if everything was normal. Freaked out hotel guests asking my granddaughter, as concierge, if the airport is open, if there will be a shortage of food, etc.,etc.- questions she can't answer, as nothing had been conveyed to staff.

She finally wrote a letter to the HR dept., saying that management needed to talk to staff, tell them what plans, if any, there were for evacuation if necessary, if staff would be looked after and so on. Following that, meetings and communications and protocols were finally rolled out to staff.

But it shouldn't have required a letter from a 21 year old staff member for management to consider their staff as just as important, if not more so, than their hotel guests.

[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]

[Edited on 3-3-2026 by surabi]

surabi - 3-3-2026 at 02:55 PM