BajaNomad

Terror in Los Cabos, according to the newspaper

Bajatripper - 10-30-2011 at 11:02 AM

I should have known better; I was asking for it. I had recently taken issue with a posting by greengoes (I think it was) in the OFF TOPIC forum which depicted a wave of violence traveling up the peninsula from BCS. The implication was that our area is more violent than the border area, which I didn't think was the case and said so. I forgot to knock on wood. Wrong move, as an article in Sunday's Sudcaliforniano makes clear.

It appears that on Tuesday, the 25th the "Comandante Contra Homicidios" (Anti-Homicide Commander) in Los Cabos was kidnapped outside his residence and shot in the head a short distance away and his weapon taken.
During the course of the investigation, on Friday evening police and military forces showed up outside a residence in Colonia Las Brisas del Pacifico in Los Cabos at around 11:30 and a shootout lasting hours followed. The bad guys are said to have used AK-47s and fragmentation grenades. The dead commander's weapon was recovered.
Then yesterday (Saturday) afternoon at around 2 there was another shootout at Soriana Plaza in Los Cabos. The military took control of the plaza, escorting customers out of the place. According to the article in today's paper, all roads heading out of the region were sealed off as the military and police forces search for the criminals.
So far, aside from the commander, the dead include a member of the military and one of the bad guys. Three policemen were injured, one seriously. Two people have been detained and numerous weapons and bullets recovered.

In summation, now probably isn't a good time to visit Los Cabos.

Most of my information comes from the Sunday edition of the paper version of the Sudcaliforniano, but below is a link to the killing of the Commander on Tuesday:

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n2282645.htm

Other links: http://noticabos.org/
http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n2287388.htm



[Edited on 10-30-2011 by Bajatripper]

BajaBlanca - 10-30-2011 at 11:09 AM

it may be late, but knock on wood now. quickly. please.

Lee - 10-30-2011 at 11:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
In summation, now probably isn't a good time to visit Los Cabos.

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n2282645.htm

[Edited on 10-30-2011 by Bajatripper]


Absolutely caca. Just buy into the psychodrama that MX is a dangerous place and the criminals are running amok and in control. Because the Sunday edition of the paper version of the Sudcaliforniano prints it?

The show's over folks time to move on.

Ask Cabo Nomad residents how it's playing out down there.

Just another day in Paradise.

Sorry to read the Commander got blindsided. Fight the cartel, expect trouble. Good luck on that.

805gregg - 11-5-2011 at 08:51 AM

I agree, so what if the locals were smoking crack right on the Malecon, while I watched from a cantina and the cruise ship tourists walked by, just another normal day in ?

Bajahowodd - 11-5-2011 at 04:33 PM

As if nothing like that ever happens stateside. Fact is that BCS, as a whole has been relatively free of the cartel violence, simply because Baja does not represent a trafficking corridor.

To post that now is probably not a good time to visit Los Cabos does a disservice to the whole of the tourist infrastructure.

I recollect that the last major crime news out of Los Cabos involved someone shot and killed in the lobby of the Pueblo Bonito Rose, after being involved in an altercation at a local bar.

I know of no real evidence that supports the idea that Cabo is unsafe.

And, just remember, the incidents mentioned happened away from the tourist areas.

BajaNomad - 11-5-2011 at 05:09 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55934

Barry A. - 11-5-2011 at 05:19 PM

Lee said above------"Sorry to read the Commander got blindsided. Fight the cartel, expect trouble. Good luck on that. "

Now THAT is a swell attitude--------

Lets all just turn our backs on this terrorism------ better yet, lets condone it by emplying that the Commandante is some type of fool for doing his job for the public good and trying to counter mayhem. And for sure lets not get involved or even think about doing something about it---------yeah, that's a winning strategy for sure!!!!

JeeeeeZo---with attitudes like that around it's a wonder that ANYBODY even tries. :rolleyes:

Barry

oxxo - 11-5-2011 at 08:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
In summation, now probably isn't a good time to visit Los Cabos.


Yes, absolutely, stay away, stay far away! :lol:

Woooosh - 11-5-2011 at 10:47 PM

No tourists have been hurt or threatened so it is still 100% safe for tourists, right? The cartels can't be stopped. The Police and military are no match for frag grenades. If they start lobbing the grenades back, what will be next?

Barry A. - 11-5-2011 at 10:52 PM

--------and the "users" just keep using, fueling the entire mess!!!

Incredible!!! :(

Bajahowodd - 11-7-2011 at 05:09 PM

At the end of the day, has anyone actually connected this incident with the "Cartels"? The area has not been involved in any major trafficking. Seems to me that a couple of thugs with automatic weapons does not represent a major cartel problem. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.

motoged - 11-7-2011 at 05:50 PM

What leads some of you to pretend that Baja is not a smuggling route????

Perhaps the same logic that it is safe because the Cartel killers didn't leave a business card or because it didn't happen on your driveway???

I am just sayin'..... those of us who decide to travel in Mexico need to be aware of the risks....and where they usually occur. Bad-guy to bad-guy stuff is most of it, but enough "collateral" damage is occuring to pay attention.

As for the term "collateral damage"....it sure sanitizes a lot of shyte goin' on both sides of the border.... :?::no:

DENNIS - 11-7-2011 at 05:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
What leads some of you to pretend that Baja is not a smuggling route????




I think everybody knows Baja is, but may be surprised that it starts from Cabo.

desertcpl - 11-7-2011 at 06:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
What leads some of you to pretend that Baja is not a smuggling route????




I think everybody knows Baja is, but may be surprised that it starts from Cabo.



it has for years Cabo, why would any one be surprised

BajaDove - 11-8-2011 at 07:21 AM

Everyone want a guarantee they will be safe if they travel Mx. They don't guarantee I won't be caught in a gang shoot-out at a stateside mall or some crazy won't decide to kill a family member and everyone in three blocks of the shooting. Of course, those things aren't Cartel related so maybe they don't count as danger.

rts551 - 11-8-2011 at 08:09 AM

When informed of dangers in Baja, why is always the rallying cry "but yes its dangerous in the US as well". I don't understand the relevance.

BajaDove - 11-8-2011 at 01:31 PM

rts551, It's someone from the states asking. The mention of state problems is to tell them they aren't more safe anywhere. Not knocking the states but why knock Mexico?

DENNIS - 11-8-2011 at 01:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
When informed of dangers in Baja, why is always the rallying cry "but yes its dangerous in the US as well". I don't understand the relevance.


I agree....always have.
It's my assumption that most US based Nomads use some common sense and don't venture into dangerous places at home, and our mention of troubled areas in Baja is no more than a "heads up" for those who may not be aware.
I don't see that as "bashing." I see it as a fair and concerned warning of uncharacteristic danger.

Mengano - 11-8-2011 at 01:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaDove
The mention of state problems is to tell them they aren't more safe anywhere.


Do you have any data to back that up? You know, like relative crime rates, murder rates, etc?

Thanks in advance. I look forward to your response.

Bajahowodd - 11-8-2011 at 05:13 PM

I'm just thinking that unless the Mexican federal government is playing some sort of game to lull the bad guys into complacency, there really has not been any significant evidence of trafficking in BCS. At least not large quantities of hard drugs headed NOB. I noted on another post that the so-called military checkpoint just outside El Centenario is often devoid of military. What does that tell us?

greengoes - 11-9-2011 at 11:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajatripper
The implication was that our area is more violent than the border area, which I didn't think was the case and said so.


For sure there is much more violence on the frontera.

Just seemed to be a trend of what is heading north from cabo.

How many bales washed up on the beach?

Woooosh - 11-9-2011 at 12:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
At the end of the day, has anyone actually connected this incident with the "Cartels"? The area has not been involved in any major trafficking. Seems to me that a couple of thugs with automatic weapons does not represent a major cartel problem. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.

How about the frag grenades? Are they a common commodity in Mexico?

bajabass - 11-9-2011 at 12:58 PM

I'm thinking that BCS is the vacation and playground headquarters for the Mexican elite, including the suppliers of contraband. Don't poop on your porch!!! As compared to Baja "Norte", I read and hear little about day to day drug issues down here. Obviously, the problem exists. Maybe they are just trying harder to fly under the radar.

Mengano - 11-9-2011 at 06:40 PM

Los Cabos Fights Back

In the San Diego Reader

CaboRon - 11-10-2011 at 06:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mengano
Los Cabos Fights Back

In the San Diego Reader


Great article, spot on ..........

805gregg - 11-19-2011 at 06:36 PM

The drug problem covers the length and breadth of Mexico. many years ago, at least 10 I was told by the bartender at the Loreto Presidente? The big hotel on the beach north of the main town, that there was a drug problem in Loreto. When he realized, what he was saying he clamed up. I've always had a good time in Baja, and I want to keep it that way, so in Jan I will be vacationing in Fiji, and in July Hawaii.


[Edited on 11-20-2011 by 805gregg]

Petey - 11-19-2011 at 09:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
The drug problem covers the length and breadth of Mexico. many years ago, at least 10 I was told by the bartender at the Loreto Presidente? The big hotel on the beach north of the main town, that there was a drug problem in Loreto. When he realized, what he was saying he clamed up. I've always had a good time in Baja, and I want to keep it that way, so in Jan I will be vacationing in Fiji, and in July Hawaii.


[Edited on 11-20-2011 by 805gregg]


HUGE meth problem in Hawaii. And yes, there is violence and property crime associated with it. Fiji? No idea, but I have left skin on some reefs there.