BajaNomad - US Issues Mexico Travel Warning

US Issues Mexico Travel Warning

arrowhead - 8-21-2009 at 12:30 AM

Came out today.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html

In other news, Mexico has been ranked the 16th most violent country in the world by Mexico’s “CIDAC” (Center of Research for Development). There is a chart in the report that shows that if Baja were a separate country, and not a state, it would be the 12th most violent country in the world. CIDAC has published a 16 page Spanish language document which states that Chihuahua, Baja California and the state of Mexico head the list with the most homicides, vehicle thefts and executions in Mexico; it adds that, on a world scale, Mexico ranks 16th with the highest index of violence and crime among 115 nations. The study sets out that the nation’s gravest problems are "the non-existence of an integral vision that might emphasize prevention; the lack of professionalism of police and of agents charged with carrying out justice; a penal system without transparency re discretion and corruption as well as an extremely high impunity rate which reaches 98.3% (the probability that a person who breaks the law may have to face a judge is 1.7%)." Here's the link to the report:

http://www.cidac.org/vnm/pdf/pdf/IncidenciaDelictivaViolenci...

[Edited on 8-21-2009 by arrowhead]

k-rico - 8-21-2009 at 01:05 AM

On the bright side, a chart on page 6 of the CIDAC report shows 15.5 homicides per 100,000 people in Mexico in 1998 and 10.6 in 2008. That's about a 32% drop in 10 years.

"Mexico ranks 16th with the highest index of violence and crime among 115 nations" (10.6 homicides per 100,000 people)

For perspective, the US is the 33rd most violent out of the 115. (5.6 homicides per 100,000)

El Salvador is number 1 with 61.0 homicides / 100,000

India, #50 comes in at 2.8,
Spain, #97 at 0.77,
Malta, #115 at 0.0.

[Edited on 8-21-2009 by k-rico]

Taco de Baja - 8-21-2009 at 07:45 AM

Also interesting:

Palestine is #42 with 3.85 homicides per 100,000 people
Syria is #83 with 1.23 homicides per 100,000 people
Lebanon is #106 with 0.57 homicides per 100,000 people

Sounds like the Middle East is a great place to live/visit and NOT get killed. Who would of thought that?

SDRonni - 8-21-2009 at 08:18 AM

Wow, between this and the new border crossing system, this might be the final nail in the coffin for tourism and economy south of the border..............not to mention I heard on the news this morning that now small amounts of pot, cocaine and meth are legal in Mexico

Batten down the hatches!

bill erhardt - 8-21-2009 at 08:36 AM

"This information is current as of today, Fri Aug 21 2009 09:24:06 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time).

Mexico

August 20, 2009

The Department of State has issued this Travel Alert to update security information for U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico. It supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated February 20, 2009, and expires on February 20, 2010."

It looks like the State Department "Travel Alert" is an advisory that is issued every six months and has nothing at all to do with the Mexican government CIDAK report. The "Alert" issued today merely updates an Alert issued on Feb. 20, and will remain in effect until Feb. 20 of next year.

The Gull - 8-21-2009 at 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
I heard on the news this morning that now small amounts of pot, cocaine and meth are legal in Mexico

Batten down the hatches!

Finally some good news. Tourism will rise since the consumers of all the drugs crossing the border are good old Americans. Now they can vacation and do drugs without interference. Such a deal.

DENNIS - 8-21-2009 at 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gull

Finally some good news. Tourism will rise since the consumers of all the drugs crossing the border are good old Americans. Now they can vacation and do drugs without interference. Such a deal.

Think so? I'll bet it's still against the law to sell the stuff.

The Gull - 8-21-2009 at 08:56 AM

Maybe, but sharing your stash shouldn't be a problem.

Don't bogart that joint, my friend, pass it over to me...

Crusoe - 8-21-2009 at 09:32 AM

GOOD GAWD FOLKS....GET REAL!!! Drugs might as well be legal here in the U.S!!!.. As any high school kid in any part of the country, can tell you where to go to buy anything you may want. We all know whats feeding this, Right? ++C++

The Gull - 8-21-2009 at 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusoe
GOOD GAWD FOLKS....GET REAL!!! Drugs might as well be legal here in the U.S!!!.. As any high school kid in any part of the country, can tell you where to go to buy anything you may want. We all know whats feeding this, Right? ++C++

Yes, we all know what is feeding it. All the permissive US parents who long ago lost the family unit to the current US culture of entitlement and low expectations.

Pass the tuskie before it burns your fingers.

DENNIS - 8-21-2009 at 10:34 AM

Quote:

So..we should turn over distribution rights to the government? if you don't, the cartels will still have it. More of it since legalization will expand the client base. What will legalization solve?
It's the ol' rock and the hard place.

Dave - 8-21-2009 at 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Gull
Finally some good news. Tourism will rise since the consumers of all the drugs crossing the border are good old Americans. Now they can vacation and do drugs without interference. Such a deal.

My bet is that this will become a guaranteed money maker for the local cops.

Tourist: But...I have less than 4 grams.

Cop: You have more. Pay me or go to jail. :rolleyes:

Hook - 8-21-2009 at 11:03 AM

Dont think the new rule applies to meth. I thought it was just pot, coke and smack.

Hey, has anyone told Keith Richards about this new law?

SDRonni - 8-21-2009 at 12:07 PM

I did hear that methamphetamine was included.....did not read that heroin was.....only pot, cocaine and meth.........

Why discriminate?

Dave - 8-21-2009 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
only pot, cocaine and meth.........

Heroin and LSD also included.

arrowhead - 8-21-2009 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
Wow, between this and the new border crossing system, this might be the final nail in the coffin for tourism and economy south of the border

Here's another coffin nail in today's AFN:

Quote:

TIJUANA BC 21 Agosto 2009.- (AFN) La delincuencia se apoderó de la zona centro, donde se registran 20 asaltos al día en negocios ubicados en la avenida revolución, según mencionó el presidente de la asociación de comerciantes de la zona centro, Guillermo Díaz, en una reunión que sostuvo con el Secretario de Seguridad Pública Municipal, Julián Leyzaola Pérez.
Con ello, el líder de los comerciantes marcó una diferencia con lo expresado por Julián Palomo Saucedo, presidente de la asociación de comerciantes de la Avenida Revolución, quien en días pasados declaró que dicha zona era totalmente segura al haber un blindaje policíaco.
Al respecto, Guillermo Díaz declaró que es falso el “blindaje policíaco” en esta zona comercial, donde señaló que son comunes los actos vandálicos y de robo sin que haya vigilancia en el lugar.
Los asaltantes, continuó, afectan tanto a negocios establecidos como a la gente que transita en esta zona, además de señalar que debido a la inseguridad y a la escasa venta algunos comercios se han visto en la necesidad de cerrar temprano sus instalaciones.
A la llegada de los medios de comunicación a la reunión Leyzaola Pérez partió de manera abrupta del lugar sin ofrecer declaración alguna.

Loosely translated, it says that the "protected zone" for tourists in TJ is just a myth. Criminals have taken over the Central Zone of Tijuana. There are 20 assaults daily against businesses located on Avenida Revolución.

Crusoe - 8-21-2009 at 08:35 PM

Arrowhead- If this is true, it is very, very scary!! Yikes!! C

JESSE - 8-22-2009 at 02:47 AM

I feel sorry for all those folks up north, but according to the numbers, Baja Sur ranks below the U.S. national average when it comes to Homicides at 4.7 per 100,000 against 5.62 for the U.S. In fact, we are just a bit higher than the rate for all industrialized nations.

dianaji - 8-22-2009 at 06:32 AM

i get so disgusted when i even mention traveling to mexico. there is so much fear instilled in everyone. it's an automatic "no" whenever i ask or tell anyone if they'd like to come down. every time i'm on the road in mexico, it's such an uplifting experience for me. what u think upon grows.

CaboRon - 8-22-2009 at 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Think so? I'll bet it's still against the law to sell the stuff.

Dennis,

In Todos Santos, the police department regulates the retail drug business ...

The dealers pay a percentage at the police station each week and then are allowed carte blanche ...

They are the authorized dealers ....

I know this as my medical herb was delivered directly to my casa by authorized dealers, and the police told me it was OK to smoke it in my casa, but never in cargo.

Cardon Man - 8-22-2009 at 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

I know this as my medical herb was delivered directly to my casa by authorized dealers, and the police told me it was OK to smoke it in my casa, but never in cargo.

You presented your medical herb prescription to the cops?...and they hooked you up with an authorized dealer? :?:

Don Alley - 8-22-2009 at 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JESSE
I feel sorry for all those folks up north, but according to the numbers, Baja Sur ranks below the U.S. national average when it comes to Homicides at 4.7 per 100,000 against 5.62 for the U.S. In fact, we are just a bit higher than the rate for all industrialized nations.

Apples and oranges. US is a nation, BCS is a small rural state. Better comparison: Montana has a homicide rate of about 1.46. Considering the size, I think crime in BCS is very high and is a major concern for me, and expect it's a big, big drag on tourism and investment.

DENNIS - 8-22-2009 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
In Todos Santos, the police department regulates the retail drug business ...

Thanks Ron.... Who would have guessed? :lol:

Cypress - 8-22-2009 at 09:21 AM

You can be sure that 95% of the homicides are Mexicans killing Mexicans over control of illegal drug sales and all the other domestic sort of things. Don't hear of many tourists getting murdered. And believe me, it would make the news.

k-rico - 8-22-2009 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon
In Todos Santos, the police department regulates the retail drug business ...

Thanks Ron.... Who would have guessed? :lol:

Exactly!! The Tijuana police and the AFO have had a cozy relationship for many, many years.

Al Capone and the Chicago cops defined the modern business model, but it goes back to antiquity.

CaboRon - 8-22-2009 at 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Man

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

I know this as my medical herb was delivered directly to my casa by authorized dealers, and the police told me it was OK to smoke it in my casa, but never in cargo.

You presented your medical herb prescription to the cops?...and they hooked you up with an authorized dealer? :?:

No, the police did not care that I had a medical reccomend in California...

Their concern was only that I bought from an "authorized" dealer. :lol:

JESSE - 8-22-2009 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley

Quote:

In my experience, Baja sur is the safest place i ever lived, and that includes Canada, the US, and Mexico.

DENNIS - 8-22-2009 at 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
You can be sure that 95% of the homicides are Mexicans killing Mexicans over control of illegal drug sales and all the other domestic sort of things.

That may be a valid point.....today. A problem lies on the horizon if the cartels are disbanded. [ :lol:

] There will still be an army of unemployed trash out there who think nothing of shooting somebody for what they want and they'll still have their guns.
Or, on the other hand, maybe they'll go to work at OXXO'S selling smoothies. I hear they're hiring.

Cypress - 8-22-2009 at 12:48 PM

DENNIS, Those dudes will continue doing what they do best and it isn't selling smoothies.

CaboRon - 8-22-2009 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
You can be sure that 95% of the homicides are Mexicans killing Mexicans over control of illegal drug sales and all the other domestic sort of things.

That may be a valid point.....today. A problem lies on the horizon if the cartels are disbanded. [ :lol:

What a great new idea :light:

The cartels could branch out into the smoothie business :lol:

They might even introduce new flavors :bounce:

Reefer Madness

Cardon Man - 8-22-2009 at 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

No, the police did not care that I had a medical reccomend in California...

Their concern was only that I bought from an "authorized" dealer. :lol:

So, would you drive around with a couple of joints now? Not smoking, I mean just driving to a camp/surf/fishing spot for example?

I guess there's no reason not to...considering the decriminalization.

Bajahowodd - 8-22-2009 at 04:11 PM

Having not read the actual language of the law, I would be concerned that foreigners might not be treated the same. After all, the major reasons they passed this law, was because they wanted to get involved in re-hab for the citizenry.

CaboRon - 8-22-2009 at 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon Man

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboRon

No, the police did not care that I had a medical reccomend in California...

Their concern was only that I bought from an "authorized" dealer. :lol:

I have moved to Las Vegas .... and herb is a big no, no here...

They have not passed a compassionete use act here ....

My last day in Todos Santos (May first) I smoked my last bowl and threw my pipe into the huerta ...

Had a little ceremony

Cardon Man - 8-22-2009 at 07:02 PM

Geez Ron...sorry to hear that.

Loretana - 8-22-2009 at 08:48 PM

Quote:

"I have moved to Las Vegas .... and herb is a big no, no here...

They have not passed a compassionete use act here ....

My last day in Todos Santos (May first) I smoked my last bowl and threw my pipe into the huerta ...

Had a little ceremony

Caboron,

You might want to check again, Nevada passed a decriminalization act in 2000. And according to NORML, Nevada has a medical marijuana act in effect.

What blows my mind is that you get stoned!! Who'da thunk it!! :rolleyes: