BajaNomad - Drug violence overwhelms Tijuana

Drug violence overwhelms Tijuana

BajaNews - 12-20-2009 at 03:32 PM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iT5mo54eRb...

December 16, 2009

TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — This year was particularly tough for the already rough border city of Tijuana, besieged by drug violence and slammed by the economic downturn in the United States.

So far, more than 300 people have been killed in turf battles between rival drug traffickers and shootouts between gangs and federal security forces. Scores of bodies are buried in paupers' graves after not being claimed by their families.

Fear dominates life here. The violence has kept away thousands of revelers from across the U.S. border in San Diego who once flocked here to party at nightclubs along its main strip. Discos and bars that remain open often are empty, with strippers performing to bored employees.

Meanwhile, the city continues to swell with the unemployed. About 10,000 people have been laid off from factories that manufacture U.S. goods for export and that are suffering from the global financial crisis.

Tijuana also receives a large portion of Mexican deportees from the United States. Many arrive with no money to get back to their native towns in the interior of Mexico and wind up begging on the streets.

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Below: In this Dec. 12, 2009 photo, homeless people wait for lunch served by the Boinas Verdes Association in Tijuana in northern Mexico. This year about 10,000 people have been laid off from factories in Mexico that manufacture U.S. goods for export and that are suffering from the global financial crisis. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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BajaNews - 12-20-2009 at 03:34 PM

In this Dec. 8, 2009 photo, Isaias Lopez keeps warm by a fire outside his home in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood in Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana receives a large portion of Mexican deportees from the United States, many of which who arrive with no money to get back to their native towns in the interior of Mexico and wind up begging on the streets. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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BajaNews - 12-20-2009 at 03:38 PM

In this Dec. 8, 2009 photo, a traffic sign filled with bullet holes stands on the outskirts of Tijuana in northern Mexico. Fear dominates life here where violence has kept away thousands of revelers from across the U.S. border in San Diego who once flocked here to party at nightclubs along its main strip. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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woody with a view - 12-20-2009 at 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNews
In this Dec. 8, 2009 photo, Isaias Lopez keeps warm by a fire outside his home in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood in Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana receives a large portion of Mexican deportees from the United States, many of which who arrive with no money to get back to their native towns in the interior of Mexico and wind up begging on the streets. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

hey Isaias,

next time you cross north you might wanna think about the downside! where are all your compa's when you need them?

on the surface it sucks to be in your shoes, with nothing left. but on the other foot, you probably made 2 or 3 kids on the other side, and if Nobama or the rest of our elected turds get the chance you'll be getting in line to claim amnesty real soon!

stay north!!

fender - 12-20-2009 at 03:50 PM

It's really terrible down here!!! Violence everywhere and just not safe for you or your family!! Please think of your family members! Do NOT travel south of the border. ALL good folks north of the border should stay north. Please!!

justtryingtokeepourparadiseexactlythat :lol:

Please, Woody

Dave - 12-20-2009 at 04:10 PM

While the desire to illegally immigrate is a conscious decision, once there complicity usually governs whether one remains. There's enough blame to go around.

How he came to this is speculation. I hope he stays warm.

I also hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

woody with a view - 12-20-2009 at 04:15 PM

thanks, Dave.

if i could wave my surfboard and make everyone equal in this world i would do it. that would mean i would take a FEW steps down. i'm not able, tho!

i'm lucky to be born on this side (el paso, WHEW!) and pay 35-40% of my wages to fund groups who take, take, take. is that what the american dream equates to?

[Edited on 12-20-2009 by woody in ob]

The Gull - 12-21-2009 at 08:10 AM

Woody,

Your points are valid. It is easy to get upset at the thieving that is done through our tax system in the US.
:mad:

You are still in the US and you should complain loudly and find other people of like thinking and overthrow those who steal from you.

What is worse are the ex-pats who come here to hide from US taxes (sometimes the law) and then complain about how the local government doesn't do enough for them and their neighborhoods. They don't get out of their barco-loungers at their beach houses and they patronize the local citizens to give the illusion that they care about them.
:fire:

The truth is out there. :yes: