BajaNomad - Military checkpoint- taking pictures

Military checkpoint- taking pictures

absinvestor - 2-23-2010 at 03:29 PM

This morning we passed through the military checkpoint just North of La Paz. As we were waiting for the truck in front of us to move ahead the wife took 5 pictures. When we moved to the front of the line, we were motioned to the inspection area. I told them I had two dogs onboard in hopes that they would change their mind and wave me on. No such luck- I was told to leash the dogs and remove them. I took the dogs out and after a brief inspection under the mattress etc. they told my wife to show them the pictures on the camera. She couldn't figure out how to display them so we switched places with her outside and me inside. I displayed the several pictures that were on the camera and he told me to delete the 5 that had soldier images. The camera is relatively new and I could not figure out how to delete. While one soldier continued searching for drugs etc. the main guy told me I wasn't leaving until we deleted those pictures. Both the soldier and I tried for about 10 minutes without success. Finally he told me to download them to my laptop. Once they were on the laptop I deleted them from the picture file. Of course, they were still on the camera so he asked me for permission to work the computer. The camera was still hooked to the computer and he found them on drive e and deleted them. I speak pretty good Spanish and complemented him on his knowledge of computers etc. He smiled and told us to drive safely. We won't be taking anymore pictures of the military checkpoints. Ron and Patty

Barry A. - 2-23-2010 at 03:39 PM

How strange--------anybody know the "thinking" behind this policy of "no pictures" at check points??

Barry

BajaBruceFan - 2-23-2010 at 03:42 PM

It's not really that strange - most countries have similar policies regarding photos of military personel & installations. Try the same with US border guards & their response will likely not be so patient and polite.

Sunman - 2-23-2010 at 03:43 PM

I would think it's to protect their identities so they don't become targets of future retribution from the cartels.

Bajahowodd - 2-23-2010 at 03:44 PM

Same reason you often encounter soldiers with their faces covered. Don't want to be identified and become targets for the cartel thugs. And I think Ron and Patty better get used to being searched. Probably weren't on their way South. But in recent years, it's almost inevitable that you will be searched Northbound at every checkpoint. The thoroughness may vary, however.

absinvestor - 2-23-2010 at 03:57 PM

I agree with all the posts. In the early 90's when we lived and traveled in Baja we had a mean chow dog with us. After looking through the window at the growling chow, the military always waved us through without inspection. The only time we were inspected was by the federales and they politely told me that if my dog even looked like he was going to bite them they would shoot him!! I don't mind the inspections- they are only doing their job. I'm a visitor in their country. When we chose to visit we agreed to permit inspections etc. Ron and Patty

Russ - 2-23-2010 at 03:59 PM

Same thing happened to me at the check near San Ignacio.

tripledigitken - 2-23-2010 at 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Same reason you often encounter soldiers with their faces covered. Don't want to be identified and become targets for the cartel thugs. And I think Ron and Patty better get used to being searched. Probably weren't on their way South. But in recent years, it's almost inevitable that you will be searched Northbound at every checkpoint. The thoroughness may vary, however.

It definitely varies. In coming back from Loreto we were let through without any search twice and the rest was just cursory.

We didn't have any surfboards, by the way. :lol:

Ken

Bajahowodd - 2-23-2010 at 04:20 PM

You guys dress up as clergy? :lol:

David K - 2-23-2010 at 04:56 PM

Taking photos at borders and military are forbidden in many countries...

I read here that even the U.S. border is now saying no photos.

As for the Mexican inspections... those poor guys are being assasinated by thugs, often after newspaper photos of them doing their jobs were seen. A very dear friend had two brothers assasinated after a newspaper gave one of their names as envolved in an arrest (it wasn't even true). The good guys don't need to risk death because of a tourist's photo... so don't be angry at them.

I was taking photos of the abandoned Rancho El Arenoso back in 2006 when some soldiers came walking out of it... I didn't know anyone was inside! After he wondered what I was doing on that dirt road, he asked me to delete the photos of the ranch house, and then checked to see that I did! The rest of the photos are at: http://vivabaja.com/406 !

Barry A. - 2-23-2010 at 05:14 PM

Only time I have had anybody (soldiers) object was in Lima, Peru when Fujimoto was at the very end of his Presidency----and then they said ok after talking to them--------boy were they edgy, tho.

Live and learn. (never had the border guards at the USA border with either Canada or Mexico object to our taking pics, on either side of it. ) Perhaps times have changed (!?!?!?!?) :wow:

Barry

Ken Bondy - 2-23-2010 at 05:39 PM

I have found the Mexican soldiers generally very hesitant to appear in pictures. I always ask first before pulling out a camera. Most of the time they say no, but occasionally they will agree. On this trip (2001) they asked a lot of questions about the Hummer, even asked me to open the engine compartment (theirs were sitting a few feet away). After all that I think they felt they couldn't refuse a picture. When I initially asked, the young ones said yes but the grizzled Jefe (on the left leaning on the Hummer in the photo below) said no. But he relented eventually. They were a VERY nice group of guys. The soldiers have agreed to be in pictures for me a few other times, I think it is the Hummer.

[Edited on 2-24-2010 by Ken Bondy]

Way Back When ...............

MrBillM - 2-23-2010 at 06:04 PM

Crossing Northbound at Calexico/Mexicali, I was filming the wait with a Video-Cam. Arriving at the Kiosk, I was told to stop filming. I gave a Smart-Ass reply.

Sent to Secondary after being told that shooting pics in a Federal Facility was illegal which occasioned MORE witty repartee on my part.

Spent the next almost two hours having everything emptied from my truck, being "detained" while my identity was searched in the Law-Enforcement databases. Given back my Cam, but they kept the cassette and stood around joking with each other as I reloaded all my gear back into the truck.

The Guys with the Guns get to make the rules. Lesson learned. Since then, it's been "Yes, Sir".

Woooosh - 2-23-2010 at 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Crossing Northbound at Calexico/Mexicali, I was filming the wait with a Video-Cam. Arriving at the Kiosk, I was told to stop filming. I gave a Smart-Ass reply.

Sent to Secondary after being told that shooting pics in a Federal Facility was illegal which occasioned MORE witty repartee on my part.

Spent the next almost two hours having everything emptied from my truck, being "detained" while my identity was searched in the Law-Enforcement databases. Given back my Cam, but they kept the cassette and stood around joking with each other as I reloaded all my gear back into the truck.

The Guys with the Guns get to make the rules. Lesson learned. Since then, it's been "Yes, Sir".

I made the same mistake once at the San Ysidro POE and the agent asked me to delete them. But I knew how :rolleyes:

Are you Karaaazy? LOL I agree with previous posters- you should wait until you pass through a checkpoint and then ask if it's ok to pull over to take some pics.

They're just homesick 19 year old kids, holding serious guns, getting paid squat to do the impossible...with a target on their backs. Just smile, throw them a peace sign and say something nice if you get that close. They aren't the ones I worry about and I'm not the guy they are looking for- so it's all good.

alafrontera - 2-24-2010 at 10:59 AM

"They're just homesick 19 year old kids, holding serious guns, getting paid squat to do the impossible...with a target on their backs. Just smile, throw them a peace sign and say something nice if you get that close."

At the checkpoint on the way to San Felipe the "soldier" that aproached the van was maybe 23, my g/f has a son the same age. After I briefly apologized in Spanish for not speaking much Spanish I suggested he talk to her if he had any questions (she is from Argentinea). Not at all intimidated by the uniforms and guns she spoke to him sweetly, calling him "querido" and completely taking charge of the situation. She had that kid so charmed I though he was going to cry. He looked homesick and I'd bet dollars to dounuts he called his mommy that night

Then Saturday we were in town for carnival. We mistakenly had parked the van on the parade route and couldn't get out. My g/f found a young policeman and charmed him so well he helped us turn around and allowed us to go against traffic on a one way street to get free.

These guys were cool

ILikeMex - 2-24-2010 at 12:41 PM

I always like an opportunity to post some of these pictures :spingrin:

DENNIS - 2-24-2010 at 12:43 PM

Did they let you shoot that weapon?

Full auto - Yes. And some pistolas too.

ILikeMex - 2-24-2010 at 12:49 PM

DENNIS - 2-24-2010 at 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ILikeMex

Full auto - Yes. And some pistolas too.

Too cool.

KurtG - 2-24-2010 at 03:09 PM

In my wallet I have a photo of myself taken in 1962 during Army basic training, wearing fatigues, with shaved head and a sort of wise-ass 18 year old's grin. It has been a real ice breaker with Mexican GI's from time to time. They seem to get the idea that I know what it was like to be young, in uniform and far from home.

Udo - 2-24-2010 at 08:22 PM

How true!
Three years ago I was in the Marine base at Quantico, VA. (U.S.A.) on business.
I took some photos of some historic buildings as well as some statues.
Just as I was leaving the base, the MP's busted me and held me for 5 hours of interrogations, and downloading of all my digital photos on their computers. Made me miss my plane back to CA.

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBruceFan
It's not really that strange - most countries have similar policies regarding photos of military personel & installations. Try the same with US border guards & their response will likely not be so patient and polite.

nanachel - 2-25-2010 at 08:19 PM

I did the same thing at a checkpoint last Monday, the guy in charge just shook his finger at me and said no more, I wasn't even taking pics of the soldiers, just the truck with all the junk piled on it. Guess we got lucky, they didn't ask me to delete the pics just waved us on through, mighta been because my husband made a comment "Damn Touristas".

Never even thought about it but after reading the comments, I guess even the soldiers need to worry about their safety.

Lots of military inspections going North this last trip, after every toll booth, which didn't make the toll operators happy.

DENNIS - 2-26-2010 at 06:08 AM

Some of these soldiers are inscripted from isolated places and can have indigenous roots and they may have spiritual reasons for not wanting their picture taken by anybody and everybody. There are some within the culture that think the camera is capable of taking away the soul.
Anyway, how would you feel if people just came up to you and started taking your picture. It's always best to first ask.

[Edited on 2-26-2010 by DENNIS]

DENNIS - 2-26-2010 at 06:37 AM

A sidenote to my post above.............Years back, when the military in Mexico's job was easier, mainly to protect the president, the draft was the means to fill the ranks. Still is.
The better-off citizens had ways of fulfilling their military obligation by making well-placed phone calls or paying substitutes to take their place. School deferments are also popular. It's just like the US used to be in many ways.
Anyway, inscriptions were a way of life in the indigenous and poorer areas. They had no deferments and very little sophistication.
The military found out that when a man was pressed into service and ordered to report to the local garrison, he would sooner or later just leave and go home. His life was his villiage and his family. The military picture made no sense to him.
Consequently, the inscriptee would be sent as far away from home as possible to do his tour of duty and discourage him from walking away.
I don't know if these circumstances are the same today, but there are a lot of front line faces that reflect indigenous blood.

OK....Back to our scheduled programming.