BajaNomad - This will go over well

Accept their silver, or fear their lead!

Even if use of US troops in Mexico did not result in retaliation, widespread resentment would lead to a low level of enjoyment of my road trips!

[Edited on 1-9-2026 by AKgringo]

I can tell you that highway pirates can lead to a very low level of road trip enjoyment. Way too many recent cases of highway robberies with zero government intervention. Something has to change and it doesn't appear the Mexican officials are capable of fixing it. Sheinbaum, like most other politicians is controlled by the cartels. Sad but true.

David K - 1-9-2026 at 01:01 PM

I think we have given Mexico plenty of time to stop the cartels and what they have done hasn't worked. Do you have another, better idea?

chippy - 1-9-2026 at 01:55 PM

More saber rattling from the "peace president" or should I say POS president.

Tioloco - 1-9-2026 at 01:58 PM

More saber rattling from the "peace president" or should I say POS president.

Yeah, that peaceful policy of Sheinbaum's is working GREAT!
for the criminals.

mtgoat666 - 1-9-2026 at 03:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I think we have given Mexico plenty of time to stop the cartels and what they have done hasn't worked. Do you have another, better idea?

Better idea is to Respect the sovereignty of mexico. If trump has an issue with drug deaths, then maybe he should police the American citizen drug users and domestic American citizen dealers. ICE agents should be converted into DEA agents, and should chase drug users and dealers instead of chasing restaurant workers and construction workers.

surabi - 1-9-2026 at 04:26 PM

Saber rattling about invading other countries is a designed to distract people from the disastrous state of domestic affairs. Upset about the economy, govt. cover-ups of criminal acts, quid pro quo pardoning of convicted criminals, gutting of environmental protections, law enforcement terrorizing your own citizenry?

Oh, look over here- we're gonna invade other countries and take whatever we want! Isn't that exciting!

JZ - 1-9-2026 at 09:38 PM

It's funny to watch some people care more about their ability to take vacations in MX or live cheaply in MX.

Than they care about the incredible violence the cartels are inflicting on the Mexican population.

The same people tell us every day how we should help people in need. But it's always with someone else's money. :light:

mtgoat666 - 1-10-2026 at 12:03 AM

It's funny to watch some people care more about their ability to take vacations in MX or live cheaply in MX.

Than they care about the incredible violence the cartels are inflicting on the Mexican population.

The same people tell us every day how we should help people in need. But it's always with someone else's money. :light:

Pee wee,
Forgive us for our sins. None of us will ever be able to live up to your moral superiority.

JDCanuck - 1-10-2026 at 12:36 AM

Sheinbaum is not the same as previous Presidents and should be judged on her own record. There has been increased anti Cartel raids (one major one just last week )since she has been elected, violent crime is down, tho not as much in Mexico YET as it was in Mexico city when she presided there as Mayor. Best action is to work with her as she has done up til now and is more than willing to do as her recent actions have shown.
Our Prime Minister recently confirmed the Cartels have spread right through our 3 countries and has confirmed we are increasing our efforts through additional forces and cooperation in the past year, and several well publicized news items confirm that with multiple recent busts and drug/property/cash weapons seizures.

JDCanuck - 1-10-2026 at 12:48 AM

It might come as a surprise to some that far more drugs and illegal weapons are being shipped north to Canada than are being shipped south across the same border. This is certainly not what you are being fed. Fortunately, both Canadian and US authorities have cooperated and fed each other intelligence that protects both our countries and the resulting busts are the consequence. The same is now confirmed between Canada and Mexico since their meeting this past fall as Carney and Sheinbaum made this a major issue when they met.
There are two ways to fight powerful Cartels, you can increase international cooperation and throw combined resources at them, or invade another country and stop all cooperation. Which one do you think works the best?

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JDCanuck]

Tioloco - 1-10-2026 at 08:15 AM

JD-
Sheinbaum is the hand picked successor of AMLO. She has shown the only progress against cartels is when Trump has given her an ultimatum... and that progress of turning over cartel members is not sufficient to stop the problem.

You speak of changing travel plans to the USA because of the fear of American police yet you travel in Mexico? Give us all a break, dude. The chances of having a negative police interaction in USA is on par with that same situation in Canada.

Mexico has an out of control violence problem that affects EVERYONE. If you don't want to acknowledge it, fine. But your opinion is obviously slanted toward your political agenda.

I am hopeful Trump takes action and it has the effect of stomping out organized crime in Mexico. As it currently stands, Mexico is much more dangerous to the traveler/ camper here on Bajanomad than it ever has been.

JDCanuck - 1-10-2026 at 08:37 AM

Sheinbaum's history in Mexico City was to drop the violent deaths by about 50% when she was Mayor, which was one of the reasons why she was elected with such a large majority and continues to have the popularity she enjoys. Trump wasn't involved when she accomplished that feat.
As I said, she has worked with other Countries(Canada didn't have to do any threatening to get that response) to set up a cooperative attack on Organized crime since she was elected through shared resources. This is the best way to reduce Organized crime, not bomb and strafe a few areas where they exist and let God sort them all out.
And my political agenda is to improve a bad situation and make it better so we can enjoy it even more through thoughtful application of minimal force, not sweep the country with more poorly targeted indiscriminate violence.

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JDCanuck]

JDCanuck - 1-10-2026 at 09:09 AM

As for why Canadians and Europeans are avoiding US for visits and instead increasingly travelling to other countries like Mexico, they do indeed find it less safe and more problematic. This is not some Government decision but people voting with their feet. Can you truly say you personally feel safer and have more individual freedom today than you did 2 years ago?
I'd hate to see Mexico create the same levels of animosity and conflict among the common citizens where we travel to as we see growing in the US recently. We do enjoy engaging with the other locals and find them exceptionally warm to deal with. In fact, every dealing we have had with Mexican police has been polite, respectful and helpful, even when we were the ones at fault. It's what we have come to rely on and we are never reluctant to approach them for help or directions. We gladly thank them at Christmas by contributing to their party funds at their checkpoints. Your experiences might be different, but that's what we have experienced in hundreds of contacts with them.

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JDCanuck]

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JDCanuck]

Tioloco - 1-10-2026 at 09:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

Can you truly say you personally feel safer and have more individual freedom today than you did 2 years ago?

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JDCanuck]

In USA, YES

In Mexico, NO

JDCanuck - 1-10-2026 at 09:41 AM

Sounds to me like you had best stay in the areas where you feel secure then as we continue to do. In fact, I'm surprised you follow Baja forums at all if you find the area so distasteful and dangerous.

Tioloco - 1-10-2026 at 10:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

Sounds to me like you had best stay in the areas where you feel secure then as we continue to do. In fact, I'm surprised you follow Baja forums at all if you find the area so distasteful and dangerous.

You are mistaken, baja amigo. I am in Mexico regularly and can see the situation first hand having 2 houses in separate Mexican states. Also have the advantage of Mexican family members giving their first hand accounts of what is happening. Every Mexican I speak to is hopeful the security situation improves soon and some speak highly of the American president being able to help fix it.

Sorry if this runs against your perceptions or if it rattles your feelings of security. Cold cerveza, good tacos and sunny days!

ligui - 1-10-2026 at 11:25 AM

JD. I just wanted to say thank you for your adult input on this subject :thumbup:

Thanks also to the rest of you . it's interesting to see the points of view on this subject.

I believe in coordinated cooperation between all countries.

This is a criminal issue lets work to solve it together with increased cooperation and increase in resources.

JZ - 1-10-2026 at 01:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck

Can you truly say you personally feel safer and have more individual freedom today than you did 2 years ago?

Hell yes. 2025 saw the largest one-year drop in murder ever recorded.

CA has even cracked down on homeless encampments and smash and grab robberies. Both of these things were happening within 2-3 miles of our house in LA. One store in an outdoor mall where we regularly shop got hit 5 times.

We do a couple events in DC every year. If feel much better now with my wife walking around the city.

2025 Year in Review: A Remarkable Drop In Crime
https://jasher.substack.com/p/2025-year-in-review-a-remarkab...

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by JZ]

Ateo - 1-10-2026 at 02:35 PM

We will never win. There is great power, influence and MONEY in soothing the souls of Americans. It's a waste of time. It's a pointless fight against ourselves. Ya think your're gonna actually win a war like that?

mtgoat666 - 1-10-2026 at 07:44 PM

CA has even cracked down on homeless encampments

In Butte County (near Chico CA) last summer, for wildfire hazard concerns and sanitation issues at an "unhoused community", efforts were made to relocate the camps.

The options apparently were not pleasing to the relocated population, so they snuck right back to their camp on the river and hid a little better.

The County reported that they were having problems with "Service Resistant Campers"! Now doesn't that sound a little kinder?

[Edited on 1-10-2026 by AKgringo]

If down on your luck, would you rather camp in open space or be confined in tenement slum?
USA has really big population of homeless. Since our fed, state and local govts cant or wont house all of our poor, Maybe US govt should ask UN to set up some refugee camps to house our ‘refugees’
Homeless camps look like better life than the refugee camps i have seen.

JZ - 1-10-2026 at 08:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

CA has even cracked down on homeless encampments

Maybe Newsom should find some of the $24,000,000 billion to fix homelessness he lost (stole). :?:

[Edited on 1-11-2026 by JZ]

ligui - 1-10-2026 at 08:49 PM

Guys this post is not about the homeless in California

:light:

sanquintinsince73 - 1-10-2026 at 10:42 PM

:thumbup:

JDCanuck - 1-11-2026 at 12:03 AM

I would like to know how Sheinbaum successfully dropped violent crime in Mexico City by 50% or how Columbia managed successfully to get their recent improvements fighting Cartels. Then perhaps we can find a way to accomplish the same in Mexico, US and Canada with all the extra surveillance tools we now control.
I can see the advantages of working more at the level of the disadvantaged youth to keep them from ever seeing Cartel membership as their best route to wealth and respect. But that takes both societal wealth and the willingness to apply it to social spending programs.

JDCanuck - 1-11-2026 at 12:44 AM

As I remember Columbia's "War Against Drugs" it just shifted from one Cartel to the next as successive Cartel heads were extradited and jailed with the cooperation of the end users' countries (mainly the US). From the article I just read, the Sinaloa Cartel and FARC are now the majors in control of Columbia exports of Cocaine. Meanwhile, the Cocaine market has declined and been replaced with increased Fentanyl, illegal arms and human smuggling.
I don't think it is reasonable to expect to reduce Cartel prominence without dealing with the demand end of the cycle, or at least increased cooperation between the supply and demand ends.
As for Mexico, they appear to be primarily working on the recruitment end by boosting the living wages and ultimately living standards and educational options of upcoming generations. Perhaps that's ultimately their most effective weapon against the Cartels.

[Edited on 1-11-2026 by JDCanuck]

I apologize for my part in the hijack

AKgringo - 1-11-2026 at 08:36 AM

Guys this post is not about the homeless in California

:light:

I deleted my post, but the quotes are still there

BajaBlanca - 1-12-2026 at 03:31 AM

We will be driving down to our hotelito La Bocana in July 2026 for a visit. I sure hope things settle down before then!

bajatrailrider - 1-12-2026 at 04:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

CA has even cracked down on homeless encampments

Maybe Newsom should find some of the $24,000,000 billion to fix homelessness he lost (stole). :?:

[Edited on 1-11-2026 by JZ]

You got that right :lol:

ligui - 1-12-2026 at 07:14 PM

Okay I guess we will now change the subject to Homeless in California.

You guys amaze how your train of thought in a conversation is unable to stick with the original subject.

Start a new trend about a different subject if that is the conversation you are looking for.

Good Morning :?:

pauldavidmena - 1-13-2026 at 06:40 AM

Okay I guess we will now change the subject to Homeless in California.

You guys amaze how your train of thought in a conversation is unable to stick with the original subject.

Start a new trend about a different subject if that is the conversation you are looking for.

Good Morning :?:

I hope we can remain on topic, and detach ourselves from the runaway thread of a derailed train! My wife and I will be heading down to Todos Santos in just over 2 weeks. We've been visiting since 2013, but having finally retired, we're seriously thinking of buying a property in Baja to escape the New England winters. I'd be lying if I said that current events didn't make me a bit hesitant.

lencho - 1-13-2026 at 07:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena

I'd be lying if I said that current events didn't make me a bit hesitant.

Yeah, a U.S. invasion of Mexico would likely not bode well for expats. :no:

Ateo - 1-14-2026 at 08:24 AM

1. No, this won't go over well. We all agree there should be a positive solution to our drug dependence, but in reality........how does one do that? With air strikes on cartel hideouts or labs?

2. We all SHOULD know that our current US Administration is a despotic, ignorant, shameless, sad, self-hating, angry.......the list goes on forever.

Until we realize #2 and do something about it, the US, its citizens, and the world will continue to suffer. I'm on topic.

Paul, I'd buy a place anyways! Prepare for the exit from US and head to Baja. Live your life and enjoy every moment because it could all be gone any day.

pauldavidmena - 1-14-2026 at 08:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Ateo

Paul, I'd buy a place anyways! Prepare for the exit from US and head to Baja. Live your life and enjoy every moment because it could all be gone any day.

You're not wrong. In fact, while some current property owners in Baja might be panicked, selling below asking price, I could see where being a buyer taking the long view could work to one's advantage.

JDCanuck - 1-14-2026 at 09:36 AM

I don't know if you've noticed as I have, but those cheaper prices (at least in USD) are rapidly disappearing and property seems to be moving to Expats at an accelerating rate. Seems a lot of people have the same ideas as Atleo.

pacificobob - 1-14-2026 at 10:04 AM

More saber rattling from the "peace president" or should I say POS president.

Some say it's just noise to distract from the flies

Lee - 1-14-2026 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena

Take it deeper, Paul.

Buying will be on the burner as you ''rent'' and look around. You might not find property you want to buy in the short time you're on vacation down there.

My advice: find a place to rent, drive down, and see how that plays out. A few Winter months in Pesky might show you what you're hesitating about.

Doubt the locals in Todos worry about a US invasion.

pauldavidmena - 1-14-2026 at 01:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by pauldavidmena

Lee - I agree about taking it deeper. Even though this 2-week trip is our longest yet, it's still not enough time to assess the vibe, particularly if we want to compare Pescadero to downtown Todos Santos, el Otro Lado, etc. Our goal for this trip is to determine whether or not we still love the area after being away for 3 years. If all goes well, our next trip will be longer, and we might just bring the pooch as well.

mtgoat666 - 1-14-2026 at 01:37 PM

This will go over well

The American president today said he is going to have the us military attack the cartels in Mexico on the ground.

If this happens I believe the cartels will then target Americans in Mexico !

There goes the Viva Baja feeling

Could become very dangerous for tourists and permanent residents

If he starts anything I'm considering selling all of my property in Mexico.

Actions without thought of consequences.

Let's hear your opinions

33% of USA would be appalled if Trump attacked Mexico. 33% of USA would be happy if Trump attacked any foreign country and bombed them back into the stone age. 33% of USA doesn’t care about anything.

Trump and Hegseth will gleefully drop bombs from 40,000 feet on most any ethnic-looking nefarious actor,… until the day their intelligence mistakenly wipes out children or USA citizens, after which they will deny and/or blame deep state libs in the intelligence agencies.

lencho - 1-14-2026 at 02:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Doubt the locals in Todos worry about a US invasion.

Which is a different topic from how they would react were the U.S. to actually attack.

Mexicans are gratifyingly tolerant to Gringos impacting their communities, but their patience has limits.

surabi - 1-14-2026 at 04:02 PM

I can't see Mexicans attacking their American ex-pat neighbors, as the average Mexican isn't the sort of person who does things like that. They also know that plenty of American expats are just as horrified by Trump as they are.

But if this US adminstratíon were to invade Mexico, drop bombs, etc. I can certainly see Mexico closing immigration to Americans, not letting American commercial airlines enter Mexican airspace or land here, etc.

And is the US administration really so ignorant as to think cartels members all live and hang out in some giant clubhouses? Cartel members live in regular homes in regular neighborhoods. Are they planning to terrorize Mexican communities with ICE-type invasions?

mtgoat666 - 1-14-2026 at 04:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Cartel members live in regular homes in regular neighborhoods. Are they planning to terrorize Mexican communities with ICE-type invasions?

Probably planning to send missiles from drones.

JDCanuck - 1-14-2026 at 05:06 PM

The hardest part might be identifying the corrupt officials or other "civilians" that protect the Cartels and feed them information, the same as exists in the US and Canada. Their family members and neighbours would likely not have a clue what they were up to.
Intense and long surveillance would be needed to weed out the full organization, same as we have been doing up here for multiple decades.
Find the user, trace back up the chain, find the maximum number of suppliers and then make the bust.
If you leave all those links in place, you just end up replacing one supplying Cartel with another and the problem remains with new sources and/or new countries doing the supplying.

[Edited on 1-15-2026 by JDCanuck]

Lee - 1-14-2026 at 07:41 PM

The American president today said he is going to have the us military attack the cartels in Mexico on the ground.

If this happens I believe the cartels will then target Americans in Mexico !

There goes the Viva Baja feeling

Could become very dangerous for tourists and permanent residents

If he starts anything I'm considering selling all of my property in Mexico.

Actions without thought of consequences.

Let's hear your opinions

Don't believe the above and, to me, pearl clutchers might stop going South. Who cares? Doesn't take away from the dangers of corrupt cops and government and road pirates. I expect cops to stop me in ALL towns and I consciously look for pirates while driving. Don't see the US doing anything militarily in MX.

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Doubt the locals in Todos worry about a US invasion.

Which is a different topic from how they would react were the U.S. to actually attack.

Mexicans are gratifyingly tolerant to Gringos impacting their communities, but their patience has limits.

My comment about Todos locals refer to the US attacking MX some how. Think locals might be happy it's being done. Attacking Baja Sur might be a different story. Probably not though.

elgatoloco - 1-14-2026 at 09:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

And is the US administration really so ignorant.............

Yes

elgatoloco - 1-14-2026 at 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

More saber rattling from the "peace president" or should I say POS president.

Some say it's just noise to distract from the flies

not flies........Files.......Epstein...... :saint:

JZ - 1-14-2026 at 09:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

More saber rattling from the "peace president" or should I say POS president.

Some say it's just noise to distract from the flies

not flies........Files.......Epstein...... :saint:

You had the "files" for 4 years dummy. How many times did you cry for them to be released? Do you honestly think the Dems sat on something that would take him down.

How dumb are you, seriously?

Why are you ok with 15,000,000 illegals invading America, 30% inflation, double interest rates, 1,000,000 dead in preventable wars, billions and billions in fraud (just in Minnesota), men taking opportunities from girls/women?

[Edited on 1-15-2026 by JZ]

surabi - 1-14-2026 at 09:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

And is the US administration really so ignorant.............

Yes

It was a rhetorical question.

ligui - 1-15-2026 at 09:25 AM

JZ please stay on subject ! We all know you love the leader.

Hard to believe you like the Baja , must be fun to hear you talk about Mexican people while you are at dinner down there.

I hope to never run into you while I'm down in Mexico.

Have you ever read the book the ugly American ?

surabi - 1-15-2026 at 10:20 AM

JZ stays on topic just like his dear leader. Dredges up what he thinks are his greatest hits ad nauseum when faced with things he doesn't want to answer and can't defend.

Tioloco - 1-15-2026 at 12:39 PM

Is your "Baja feeling" more important than the "feeling" the Mexicans have when they are extorted by the cartels or when their family members are kidnapped by the cartels and never seen again?

This may run counter to what you want to think but most Mexicans are horrified by what these cartel animals have done to their beautiful country.

Maybe it is time for you to sell....

lencho - 1-15-2026 at 04:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

This may run counter to what you want to think but most Mexicans are horrified by what these cartel animals have done to their beautiful country.

I doubt anyone here is arguing about that.

The question is how unilateral U.S. military intervention (i.e. "invasion") would be received.

Tioloco - 1-15-2026 at 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco

This may run counter to what you want to think but most Mexicans are horrified by what these cartel animals have done to their beautiful country.

I doubt anyone here is arguing about that.

The question is how unilateral U.S. military intervention (i.e. "invasion") would be received.

I agree the "reception" is not certain. The current strategy has been shown to be totally ineffective (hard to argue otherwise). Looks like we will all soon know. Inaction doesn't look like a viable solution to the current administration in USA. As a Bajanomad with a deep love for the people of Mexico, I am hopeful for a real positive change that repels the cartels and brings more safety to the people.

More peace and love and less homicides and kidnappings.

ligui - 1-16-2026 at 09:32 AM

Hey Tioloco boy you sure turned my love of Baja around. Who said my Baja feeling is more important than the Mexicans having to deal with the cartels ?

Damn thanks for the personal attack.

I Have spent 40 plus years in Mexico living with the locals and enjoying the lifestyle that they are willing to share with me. I've been to funerals and I've been to weddings and I've been to births and have shared their love of life.

My post was to discuss whether the United states should be involved forcibly in Mexico without their consent.

By living in the small village of ligui I have seen the cartel and how they affect the people that are my neighbors and friends.

I don't think I need to explain any further.

SFandH - 1-16-2026 at 10:41 AM

I certainly hope the United States doesn't do any police work in Mexico without the consent of the Mexican government.

AKgringo - 1-16-2026 at 10:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

I certainly hope the United States doesn't do any police work in Mexico without the consent of the Mexican government.

I agree! Even if Mexico asks for support in fighting cartels, how deep would the tentacles of the cartels be into the agencies working with US agents?

surabi - 1-16-2026 at 11:32 AM