Posted on Sunday, 1st March 2009 by Bruce
I’ve always loved our neighbor to the south. I’ve visited many times; most recently, almost exactly two years ago, Cancun, where I enjoyed an afternoon of deep-sea fishing in 4-6 foot swells with a couple of friends, all of us ready to hurl almost the entire time, yet pulling in one Barracuda after another, and having the time of our lives in the process.
I’ve always found the Mexican people to be gracious and friendly; the adventure, while I’m there, to be almost non-stop. Ya’ ever had fresh Grouper, an hour after it was caught? OK, I’ll shut up. I’m not trying to rub it in.
If you’ve read the news lately, you know that our ally and partner in trade and tourism to the south is embroiled in a serious drug war - quietly being labeled “The War Next Door” - and CBS’ 60 Minutes, aided by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, did a great report from the front lines, broadcast this evening.
According to the report, Mexican drug cartels now represent the “number one” organized crime activity threat within the United States. And, for the good citizens of Mexico, the drug war is tearing their country apart.
Posted in Home | Comments (17) |
17 Responses to “Thinking about a trip to Mexico? Better watch this first.”
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March 1st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I’m sorry to disagree with you Bruce, but that report was crap.
“did a great report from the front lines, broadcast this evening.”
The A.G. says that the U.S. needs to do a better job protecting the U.S./Mexican border and Anderson Cooper doesn’t have a follow up question???
The U.S. needs to make a greater commitment to keep unwanted ILLEGAL imports out of Mexico!!! Come on WTF!
I know Journalism is a joke these days, but where are 90% of bad ass, can’t be found within the U.S., guns and GRENADES comping from? Did 60 minutes make any kind of an effort to find out?
I think we should have very Frank talks with Mexico asking how we can treat our southern border the way they treat theirs. They may be a lot of help stopping the ILLEGAL flow of people and contraband across the border.
March 1st, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Hello,
HELLO!? Mexico needs an easy flow of their poor and criminals to get into the USA. Why would they help us shut the borders? You and I are the only constituents that don’t want to see illegal immigrants taking over.
The rich and businesses see them as cheap labor, the Dems see them as votes and power. Every government agency from ICE - to social-services - to police/judicial system, see them as job security.
We’re just on the losing side of this one, try to deal with. And that means, don’t move to a small or medium sized town with a large employer that hires lots of low-skill or manual labor.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:12 am
How does an Assault Weapons Ban in the US stop Mexican drug cartels in Mexico from getting all these heavy weapons when they are already getting them illegally?
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 am
The official position of the United States is that this is a law enforcement issue, not a military issue… The last time we had that attitude about foreign terrorists, we lost nearly 3000 Americans. I guess it will take something like that before we consider action that will actually mean anything.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:23 am
I have a friend who lives in Juarez, one of the worst of the cities that are affected. It is extremely scary down there. Cops are being killed left and right, city officials are scared. They mayor of Jaurez moved his family to El Paso. This directly affects the U.S. as people are streaming to El Paso and staying. The county hospital ends up treating gun shot victims from Juarez. This problem affects the U.S. by having people who are scared coming to the U.S. and by the drug cartels who ship the drugs.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Just a reality check here. Do not cancel your trip to Mexico because of this. If you are heading to the Yucatan (especially Cancun) you are hundreds of times more likely to die in any major American city from violence than you are there.
The cartels that do operate there have an extreme dislike of anyone upsetting the Tourist trade that it desperately needs to wash it’s currency.
As to Juarez, who the hell vacations in Juarez? Thats like vacationing in Detroit or Oakland.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Great point David.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
David — I agree!!
At about 1:30 this morning I returned with my family from the Puerto Vallarta area. We travel to this area annually with our small children. This year, even being fully aware of the state of affairs, we ventured up the coast for a few days to a small village along the beach. We had a fantastic time, met great people, and ate great food. There was a stronger presence of the Federales this year but other than that, we felt no danger and no one outside of the American media was really discussing the drug wars. Granted, this is a major problem in the border towns, especially in Juarez. However, by and large, we feel Mexico is still a great place to vacation and we were perfectly comfortable. As with any international travel, you remain alert and don’t do anything stupid, and you will be fine.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Phoenix AZ, is the kidnapping capital of the US. Mostly Mexican drug gang related. Napalitano did everything she could to keep illegals in AZ and delay the border fence.
As far as the weapons issue is concerned. Last time I checked we couldn’t buy grenades or fully automatic rifles. Secondly, wouldn’t better control of the border (Fence) also help stop smuggling from the USA into Mexico?
The good news here is that the Mexican government is going after the Cartels. The bad news is that we don’t know who will win.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
actually according to this video:http://www.newsy.com/ Cancun may not be as safe as you guys suggest. Turns out their former police chief is implicated in the drug violence that is raging on throughout the country. I don’t think we need U.S. involvement just yet. Hopefully the Mexican government can get this under control before it becomes a matter of U.S. security.
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
argillite
Heading there soon. Any tips?
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
Rosa, A police chief involved in a drug cartel justifies eliminating an entire city from being a tourist destination?
First, the subject was violence against Tourists. It is FAR safer in Cancun than any major American City. Cull through every video out there, read every report, read every newspaper article. I can guarantee you I can find 100 American victims of drug violence in Milwaukee for every one you find in Cancun.
Second, The city of Cancun and the Tourist area of Cancun are not the same thing. Why not cancel all trips to DC or Chicago or New York?
Third, I dont need the video. We go to Cancun every year. I feel safer on the streets of both the Hotel zone and the city at 2:00 am while drinking than I do stone cold sober in Milwaukee at noon. The police in Cancun are EVERYWHERE. The hotel zone (for you fraidy cats) only has two roads in and out. It can be sealed in 5 minutes easy. Everyone there is dependent on the tourists from shop keepers, to hotel staff to police. And ironically even the drug cartels have a vested interest in keeping it safe.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hello Two tips, if you are going in a party of three or more book private transfer from the airport. Nothing sucks more than spending your first two hours of vacation in a van waiting for it to fill and stopping at every other hotel before yours. Brant is the guy I use (google Brant Cancun Trasnport) and you will find the link.
Second, get a cancun map from http://www.cancunmap.com/ it has exact data on every hotel, bar, and attraction plus bus routes, cab fares etc.. it is a real timesaver and dirt cheap.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hey Hello…….
Are you going to Puerto Vallarta or Cancun area?
I have tons of tips on the Vallarta region. Too many to post here. Is there any way for you to PM me?
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Nuevo Vallarta.
What is PM?
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hello….
PM — private message. But I don’t think the moderators give out email addresses so here goes….
1. Unless you have a specific shuttle service from your hotel, when you leave the airport, go across the street from the main doors to get your cab. DO NOT accept rides from the cabs/shuttles that line the airport exit as you come out of customs. They are all fronts for time share sales pitches.
2. There is nothing “free” enough to make up for a lost day of vacation spent listening to time share sales pitches. Unless you are dead serious about purchasing, please don’t waste your time.
3. Favorite restaurant in Nuevo is La Laguna. Don’t be alarmed by the shack-like appearance. Food is great and they serve a fabulous home made tequila!
3. Take the $11 cab ride to Bucerias and spend an afternoon walking around the street vendors. Its a great taste of the “real” Mexico. Then go to Dugarel Plays about 2 blocks north of the main square along the beach. It is THE best place to watch the sunset, drink enormous margaritas and eat fresh lobster caught right off of Punta de Mita. Meson Bay is another good restaurant there. Mark’s is fabulous but its a bit more “upscale” and pricy.
4. Vallarta Adventures is a reliable place to book any excursions. They offer many activities to suit everyone. We just took the Las Caletas trip. It was a great day, the food was wonderful and the staff was fun.
5. If you go downtown PV, I prefer the restaurants in the romantic zone rather than in the “zona touristica”. There is a restaurant called Los Arbolitos up on the hill with a great view of the city and the bay.
6. I don’t personally recommend Pepe’s or Senor Frog’s. You may as well save your money, stay home, and go to Taco Bell.
Hope this helps! The weather was perfect the entire time we were there — I know you will have a great time!
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Thanks!
It can’t get here soon enough