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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1494
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Member Is Offline
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Crime in Baja
We pick up the television signal from XEWT in Tijuana here in San Diego. It is being reported this morning that there were 7 executions last night in
TJ. In the first one 4 men were executed in their home in front of their families by a group of armed, masked men. Also, 2 men were found hanging from
a bridge on the free road from TJ to Rosarito. Lastly, a man was found dead inside a vehicle with signs of torture.
Just a heads-up for all of you Nomads. Be aware of your surroundings and don't drive at night. I personally believe that if you are not involved the
drug trade you are fairly safe. I myself always make my San Quintin trips at night but I think that I will start driving during the day until this
blows over. FYI.
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
Member Is Offline
Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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Good thinking, 73. NOBODY should be transiting Tijuana at 4AM. We'd hate to read your obit.
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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tres steps forward ,dos steps back- this bites
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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I drove thru downtown Tj at about 12:45 last night. Very quiet. Unusually long 45 minute wait at 1am. I'd rather wait till midnight, spend more time
in La Mision, less time in line and on the 5.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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There is a lot of bad stuff going on as the Sonora cartel has moved in and fighting with the CAF. Two decapitated dead bodies hanging off the Tijuana
Rosarito free road last night. Last week the Ensenada Army Captain was kidnapped, killed and delivered to the Ensenada morgue. It's going to be much
worse as El Teo and the Stew Makers friends have come to town. They are shaking down the small guys for $10K each (small shopkeepers and taco stand
vendors). They aren't bothering tourists or expats yet, but they will once they win. And the Sinaloas will win- they have the backing of the Mexican
government which is what causes the violence in Juarez. TJ could become Juarez-like very quickly imho.
I'm not posting this type news here any more... but if you look at other sites, it's there.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
They aren't bothering tourists or expats yet, but they will once they win. And the Sinaloas will win- they have the backing of the Mexican
government which is what causes the violence in Juarez. TJ could become Juarez-like very quickly imho.
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Woooosh- Don't you think that when the Sinaloas win, with Mexican Government backing (like I have been saying for some time now), that it will return
to pre-Fox/Calderon days with "business as usual"? I would think that there would be little occasion for violence against tourists then. They would
all gain from tourism at that point.
While the turf war is still on, tourists and expats may become targets, but they aren't yet. I am keenly aware of the potential and am monitoring it
closely. If this starts to happen, I will make the proper adjustments.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
I'm not posting this type news here any more... but if you look at other sites, it's there. |
Few listen anyway. You can't bring the news to those who don't want to hear it.
This grotesque ordeal has been ongoing for years and there's no end in sight.
For too many in the states, the lack of reporting is mistakenly seen as peace and quiet. The truth is far from that.
The war between the cartels will end eventually only to bring new problems. What will vanquished soldiers do? I believe the answer to that will be
provided by the softest target.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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I may have my head buried in the sand. I have spent 30-50 weekends a year, for the past 5 years, in La Mision and Ensenada.
I have avoided the sketchy areas of TJ, Rosarito, and Ensenada. No more partying in the back street dives. 
Granted, La Mision is a quiet little burg for sure. Until they shot the hell out of the police station, right after they arrested Sr. Pozole at Baja
Seasons. That happened in the middle of the night.
Other than a murder at La Salina, tragic, but not a cartel thing, life is back to normal near my home. I do hold my breath, waiting and watching.
The petty crime is up, but it is up everywhere in Baja. No work, no food, steal if you have to. Easy to rationalize if you have not eaten a decent
meal in days.
It seems that if you avoid drugs, druggies, and the wrong parts of towns, no problem. I just hope it stays that way. The wholesale carjackings and
robberies of gringos has pretty much been halted.
I know there have been a few incidents and near misses amongst members of this forum, but all in all, other than mordida, it is back to normal
regarding gringos living and traveling in Baja.
Just watch your back, which I have been doing since my first surf trip to Baja in 1973.
Northbound last night at midnight, checkpoint before the Rosarito toll booth. Had a talk, with 2 Marines, albeit basic, our two levels of Spanglish
worked well enough. We discussed my most dangerous moment in Baja in over 35 years. As I approached that same point, about midnight last Sunday, a
Chevy truck with Baja plates flew by me as the cones narrow it to one lane. Going at least 70, the driver slammed on the brakes no more than 100ft
from 2 small cars stopped at the checkpoint. I stopped and watched the truck hit the car going about 40. The car rammed the car ahead, sending it
forward about 30 ft, the sandwiched car and truck both hit the barricade the Marines stand behind.
Narcos!! Oh poopola!! One Marine gets to his feet aiming his rifle at the truck, I am ready to put in reverse and vaminos! Now 3 Marines are locked,
loaded, and the truck is covered, the door opens, and a young, barefoot little Mexican girl stumbles out, STONE DRUNK!
As I said, just watch your back. Turns out it was 2 of the same 3 Marines as last Sunday. They said that was their scariest moment in their young
careers. Thought it was narcos for sure. Nope, just another drunk!
Be Smart, Be Safe, and
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Nothing says Mexico like bodies swinging from a bridge!
I'm afraid it's going to get much worse in Baja.
Having said that, I'm getting ready for a two week trip later this month!
*How much worse does it have to get before you won't go?
*How long does saying to yourself, "it doesn't effect the tourists", mask the concern?
Ken
[Edited on 10-11-2010 by tripledigitken]
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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My family says the "pemex" bridge is the one near the the Home Depot exit in Rosarito. The street over it is the 5 &10 that runs to TJ. That
would be a very bad story for Rosarito had anyone reported it correctly. Blood dripping on cars from the headless bodies hanging above the toll road
running through central Rosarito? Not good.
That cartel will not discriminate in their income sources- everyone pays them. It's the way they roll. Their leader isn't a billionaire from being
charitable. They may wait a bit to target Americans and tourists, but they eventually will. It's their nature. They don't love Mexico, they love and
respect their family, their organization, money and power. Nothing else.
It was much calmer here the last year and things were getting back to normal. That's gone as of last week imho. But yo won;t read about it in the
papers. Either it's been blacked out due to tourist sensitivity or the Sinaloa cartel is doing what they did in Juarez- tell the media what to report
or else.
I don't know how they feel about us talking on message boards like this. I'm sure their kids read it. We'll find out I guess.
[Edited on 10-11-2010 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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I hope and pray you are wrong Woooosh! Baja needs a break for sure!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
I hope and pray you are wrong Woooosh! Baja needs a break for sure!
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A break? Baja has been virtually unscathed.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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nanbanan
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 10-12-2010
Member Is Offline
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crime in baja
my sis and i are planning a trip to punta banda tomorrow but in light of these new executions i'm somewhat nervous. she has large huevos and thinks
nothing of going forward with our plans. i just would like someone else's view of 2 girls traveling to punta banda alone. we're not new to baja, been
going to punta banda since the 60s, so actually we're not girls either but middle aged women looking for some time in the sun. thanks for your help.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by nanbanan
my sis and i are planning a trip to punta banda tomorrow but in light of these new executions i'm somewhat nervous. she has large huevos and thinks
nothing of going forward with our plans. i just would like someone else's view of 2 girls traveling to punta banda alone. we're not new to baja, been
going to punta banda since the 60s, so actually we're not girls either but middle aged women looking for some time in the sun. thanks for your help.
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Welcome to BajaNomad. You've come to the right place with your concerns.
Just listen to the basic suggestions you'll find here. Don't drive at night and don't go into neighborhoods in which you have no business.
Additionally, if I were a woman driving alone in mexico, I would buy one of those facial appliances, ...you know....the black horn-rimmed glass frames
with the big nose and bushy mustache. Nobody will bother you if you keep them on during your entire stay.
Jes Kiddin'. Enjoy your trip and be as vigilant as you would be anywhere.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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Very easy, simply do not stop in TJ or Rosarito. Go straight to the toll road, enjoy the view, and go straight to Ensenada. Fill the tank, get
anything you may need, then head out to Punta Banda and relax. Reverse the procedure going north, no TJ-Rosarito stops, head straight to the border.
If Puerto Nuevo or La Fonda are on the list, fine, just hit the border before dark.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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nanbanan
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 10-12-2010
Member Is Offline
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thank you so much for your advice. we plan on doing just that - do not pass go, do not collect $200. straight there to soak up some sun and cerveza.
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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Go for it using the standard travel cautions posted above and elsewhere on this site. There have been some store robberies in downtown Rosarito but
they aren't spraying bullets around like a few years ago.
Tourists and expats have not been caught-up in this blossoming new wave of violence. It is specific, it is targeted, and it is narco cartel against
narco cartel at this point. It's up to the Mexican government to make sure it doesn't take Baja down.
(I think there must be another PeMex bridge. A news story I read said this is the same bridge they hung bodies off of a few years back- and no bodies
have ever been hung above the toll road in Rosarito)
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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MsTerieus
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
Member Is Offline
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When are you going, Nan? FYI, I will be going, all by my lonesome, next Saturday. I made such a trip in August, without incident. I stopped in TJ
just long enough to pick up a rental car, and then I got the Heck outta there, driving straight to Punta Banda.  I had a very good time! 
I'm more concerned about this trip, as I must be in TJ, at the end of my trip, for 36 hours or so.
[Edited on 10-12-2010 by MsTerieus]
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Mexicorn
Senior Nomad
Posts: 772
Registered: 9-15-2009
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So does this mean the Rosarito convention center will never be completed?
Its destiney ti become anotber skeletal structure along the coast like that CDDG monster just south of twinkie land?
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mexicorn
So does this mean the Rosarito convention center will never be completed?
Its destiney ti become anotber skeletal structure along the coast like that CDDG monster just south of twinkie land? |
Who knows. I'd ask the guys across the street building the Naos project. Maybe they are thinking the convention center will give them a competitive
advantage. There is apparently no shortage of narco cash to build them, just no one to buy and fill them when they are completed.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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