NOGALES, Sonora: When renewing the travel alert, the United States warned its citizens and employees not to visit the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas because of the high crime rates recorded in these entities.
The alert indicates that "violence, homicides, kidnappings, and robberies in all its forms are widespread" and justifies that this call is based on "the limited capacity that the US government has to provide emergency services to its citizens in Mexico."
In addition, it prohibits its workers from traveling at night hours, the use of taxis even from the Uber application, and they are also prohibited from driving off the main roads in Sonora and Baja California.
According to the modality of the Department of State, level 1 alert "normal precaution"; level 2, "increase caution"; level 3 "reconsider the trip due to delinquency"; Level 4 "DO NOT TRAVEL".
In level 1 there is no state of the Republic with new warnings.
In level 2: Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan.
In level 3: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, State of Mexico, Jalisco, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosí, Sonora and Zacatecas.
In level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas.
Colima is on the list of non-pleasant entities, level 4 Alert, due to the violence that prevails and the activity of criminal groups. It establishes that, if it is required to visit the capital Colima and Manzanillo, the transport will be by toll roads, ONLY.
In the case of Guerrero, cites the official communiqué, armed groups operate independently of the government in a large number of regions.
"Members of these groups frequently maintain obstacles and may use violence towards travelers."
"Government employees of the United States can not travel to the entire state of Guerrero, including Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Taxco."
For Michoacan, it mandates that federal employees can travel on federal highway 15D to transit between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Lázaro Cárdenas can only travel by plane and limit activities to the city center or the port areas. And in Morelia it is possible to travel by air and land, especially on the road that leads to this capital city.
With respect to Sinaloa, the alert of the State Department of the American Union, indicates that violent crimes are widespread and highlights that the largest criminal organizations "are based and operating in this entity."
In Mazatlan, Sinaloa employees and travelers are conditioned to arrive in this city by air or sea, and are limited to the "Golden Zone" and the historic city center, only if they use direct routes when traveling to and from those places, from the airport or cruise terminals.
In as much to Los Mochis and Topolobampo it indicates that they are restricted only to necessary visits in the city and the port.
The state of Tamaulipas, according to the official report, is commonly the scene of "violent crimes, such as murder, armed robbery, car theft, kidnapping, extortion and sexual assault."
And the report concludes: "Gang activity, including gun battles and blockades, is widespread. Armed criminal groups attack public and private passenger buses, as well as private cars that travel through the entity, often taking passengers hostage and demanding ransom payments. Federal and state security forces have a limited capacity to respond to violence in many parts of the state. "
Very dangerous, I forsee tourists will still visit these destinations
ReplyDeleteYes very true
DeleteAh come on! The official line is that only those 'involved' have something to fear.
DeleteYou dont believe the Mexican government or what???
The raza always complains of poverty and bad treatment, but they continue to do it to themselves. Mexico is going to loose ALL of their travel income due to this bullshit
ReplyDeleteTravel industry is pennies compared to drug trafficking.
DeleteRegardless of what "All inclusive packages offered in Mexico", fearful of security and tainted beverages will always be an issue for many.
Europe will be my destination.
Definitely, americans: , stay the hell away from Tamaulipas. For your own sake.
ReplyDeleteEl Cabrón De Tamaulipas
You mean stay away from reynosa and matamoros
Delete@9:03
DeleteI’m from Nuevo Laredo and i would never suggest a foreigner to come here. Just stay the hell away and go somewhere else.
We can hardly survive here despite being in our own element, it’s just not worth the hassle.
But then again, who am i to tell people what to do, afterall? If someone doesn’t value his own safety who am i to judge him?
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
I'm pretty sure he said tamaulipas lol
DeleteTamaulipas is full of ofspings from golfos and Zetas ALL fighting each other. Not to my mention that they like to kidnap and take people's trucks
DeleteOrale here I come to Matamoros, have the beer and carnitas ready.
DeleteJust for the record, @9:03 PM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0XMRgA9A5h0
DeleteJust stay awwy foreigners, i don’t care if you are from the Us or from another country. If you come here, you do it at your own peril. Forewarned is forearmed.
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
I wanted to go to Acapulco. The view the weather. Looking out at the bay. So occasionally I hear gun fire :-(
ReplyDelete“I wanted to go to Acapulco.”
DeleteJajajajajajajajajaja XD
Do you have a deathwish, son? Because in that case i can suggest you something like 1000 better and less painful ways to off yourself.
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
I go to Mazatlán frequently, never stay in golden zone, always rent an apartment in some ok residential like Real del Valle or near the Sendero Plaza, always rent my own car (cheap one) drive all over Sinaloa, never any problems, take my 8year old kid always with me and stay sometimes a month. Also was recently in Cancun/Playa Del C and have been to Acapulco a few times in the past 2years. Also drove from DF thru Chilpancingo to Acapulco & Oaxaca not long ago. I have no clue why they try to scare tourists away and I am a white girl with a half Mexican daughter.
ReplyDelete“never any problems”
DeleteI knew a lot of people who never had any problems.
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
@8:53 PM
DeleteThis guy http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2018/11/missing-nc-teacher-reported-dead-and.html for example, probably never had any problem. Until problems found him.
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
If you loved your kid you wouldn’t take these travel advisories as a scare tactic to lure tourists away. I’ll pray that your kid remains safe and doesn’t end up a victim because of your selfishness. Sinaloa is full of rapist and women murderers.
DeleteEl Cabron, what do you think happened to that teacher? Did he befriend the wrong people, or walk in the wrong area? Sad and scary.
DeleteWhite Girl: I carefully read your post and concluded that you are a very prudent wise individual who "realistically" understands the "potential" for victimization in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteDo us readers a favor, please, and post a description of how you acquired your tourist expertise. Like tell us your "definition of the situation" or rationale for "why" you do as you do in Mexico.
Yes, you drive all over Sinaloa in a cheap rental car with your kid.
From what you write, I am guessing that you know how not to be a victimization target and that there is much more to this than simply cheap cars and renting apartments in O.K. locales.
Curious, what is an O.K. rental locale... how do you determine this?
I feel very uncomfortable about your post because it suggests that being safe in Mexico is relatively simple for others to pull off. My dear, I don't think you know the many subtle but "stupid" things people do to produce "tells." You might want to talk with car dealers, Gypsies, bar maids,lawyers, morticians, gas station attendants, motel maids,shoe shine boys,street vendors,prostitutes, pimps, and cops to learn how they spot potential victims. I think it would scare you to learn things about yourself that would startle a psychiatrist.
Finally, "IF" someday some criminal(s)determines that you are worthy of victimization, you will not have a clue that you are being guided and groomed for plucking or worse.
I sincerely pray for you and your son's safety and well being in all that you do in Mexico. Vaya con Dios, mija.
I hope other readers jump in and add their views on this important topic.
Mexico-Watcher
I felt safe and already have some ideas were to go next year like Acapulco, culiacan, Tamps.
DeleteI wish you as americans could see yourself through the eyes of an non American
Who is White Girl? Chivis are you white?
Deleteonly on my birth certificate...if you are Mexican you will understand that...
Deletebut looking at my skin I see café con leche ☕
It's pretty clear that some of the 'anonymous' commentors and El Cabron don't live in Mexico....fear mongers. Gringo in Mexico for years....I'd rather be in Culiacan than Chicago any day of the week.
DeleteChivis now there calling you white mom lol. Hard to decipher the code, perhaps there calling Chapo white mom?
DeleteChivis,too funny,I like your answer (coffee with milk)!
DeleteP.S. to the White mom with an 8 yo son traveling around Mexico's tourist venues: I just had a chilling afterthought concerning your post. I want to share this with you and as a caution to others.
ReplyDeleteIn your post, you mention traveling with your 8 yo son. WOW!
Surely, you must realize that very few 8 year old boys do not have levels of knowledge or expertise to deal with subtle things in life ... Professionally, I have known professionals like teachers, cops, neighbors, and common folks who can skillfully "pump" kids for personal information on family matters.
In a nutshell, I think you 8 YO boy is a major "tell" for your travels in Mexico. If not, please tell us why not?
Mexico-Watcher
I read your reply three times, and I still cannot decipher what the hell you are asking her...
DeleteNo it's my daughter and she doesn't leave my side. We did live in Oaxaca for 3 years as well which was fine. Most recently we went to LA for a week and I thought that was more dangerous. We have gone to Mexico at least 3x/year since she was 3 and travelled all over the Baja and other places never any problems. But I am not involved in drugs or anything and certainly have very little money as well.
DeleteAt 7 AM: I am trying, nicely, to warn her that she is not a wise as she wants us to take her. By disguising herself as a low value victim target, she may actually be doing the opposite.
DeleteTo criminals, "If" she has no value, then she has no value and is probably safe to traveling in Mexico safely. However, "if" she is hiding some "valuable" assets (wealth, sexual, social status, or?) then she is in great danger.
God, think about if some person she come in contact with discovers her "game" and share the info with hard core criminals who will "research" her. Then, what if they determine she is worth their trouble to victimize.
Hypothetically, they might decide to kidnap her 8 yo son for ransom. Yeah, it is very possible as we are talking about Mexico here and not a more civilized nation with the skills and resources to deal with such crimes.
So, to you who have read my post 3 times, bluntly put, I am giving this woman a warning that I hope she does not need.
God, I hope White Woman post a response to my worries for her.
Mexico-Watcher
I have been all over the world also took my 8yr old daughter to Guatemala a few years back via Tapachula. I don't go to bars. Places I rent are little houses in residentials. Among working families. Pool in the residentials usually.
DeleteWe stay a month or so. I don"t go to bars or stay in hotels. Drink at night at home. Drive to the beach to swin in the day or tour around. Most places I rent are on Airbnb. Been doing it for years. Inexpensive. Nice landlords. Very respectful.Working class neighborhoods. I feel safe most places I go. Just my opinion.
I think what M-W is asking is how does she keep potential narcos or children/teens that work for narcos from getting information from her son.
DeleteIt would be very easy for someone to befriend him, and her son would innocently and unknowingly give up information that could cause her (and unfortunately her son) to become targets.
Imho I wouldn't take my dog there, I can't imagine taking a child. The only thing worse than being tortured and murdered is having to watch someone you love go through it first.
I would never, ever rent anything in an Airbnb. Ever.
Delete@ 11:09 stop being so obsessed with what someone else does. You are what the young generation call a hater or troll.🛑
DeleteJust stay in tourist areas there usually well guarded and in you travel on the road use the toll roads.Cartels make what regulars joes in the states make in a year in less than a month they ain’t worry about you is you get robbed that the most that you should fear. Border states usually have a lot of deportis from the USA meaning thugs and people who take advantage of Americans.Respect Mexico since you never know who has ties to someone heavy in Mexico cartel life.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a travel warning for Chicago
ReplyDeleteThe advisory is for Mexico! The advisory is for Mexico. Not Russia. Not Costa Rica, not Columbia, not a US state. Comprende
DeleteYes, that too. Both places have POC killing each other and innocent bystanders. Absolutely correct.
DeleteThere isn’t one...
DeleteLMAO. For real!!! I live in another state where no news outlet ever speaks about Chicago's situation.
DeleteI go to Acapulco all the time and I admit it's a very dangerous place. It's a gamble..Wrong place wrong time can happen anywhere, but more likely to happen in Acapulco. I don't even feel safe sitting in a starbucks in Acapulco because I know from experience and from reading that at any moment something can happen and often does. At least a half dozen restaurants that I frequent in Acapulco have had prime time murders. I can't say the same thing about where I live, nor the cities surrounding it, even the bad neighborhoods and all these places I mention are in the heart of the tourist zone. Last year a day before I arrived, 3 people were shot in a tourist bar, but it was not gang related. To me, it doesn't matter...It's become a city that no longer has your middle, upper middle and upper class visitors in town. It has locals and drunks from Mexico City. You need to have eyes in the back of your head walking the streets at night especially. Everything is safe until something happens. I may continue to travel to these places, but I won't sit here and play stupid and invent the truth. Acapulco is very dangerous. Honestly Mexico City in the Polanco area, Zocalo or Reforma area imo is very safe. I honestly feel safer there than in NYC where you have thugs pissing all over the street and lunatics on every corner
ReplyDelete“Everything is safe until something happens.”
DeleteExactly, and this is something many pendejos refuse to realize.
El Cabrón De Tamaulipas
Is cozumel still safe or is it too going down the drain?seems as if it's one of the only true safe spots.haven't Bern in awhile but always felt safe and had good times.
ReplyDeleteGood one
ReplyDeleteWhy travel to Mexico to see the "culture"? Just go to California. Beaches, taco stands and people selling trinket on every corner, and Mexicans.
ReplyDeleteYou have to admit, that's rather insulting to Mexico and her people. She's more than taco stands and beaches. The beauty, richness, scenery and culture are rich elements that are not found outside of Mexico.
DeletePretty some un informed ahite dude will be back packing on some mountain on that region. Then they wonder why they go missing or get killed.
ReplyDeleteI tried to tell two of my patients that were going to go for a cheap vacation and soak up lots of alcohol at a tourist resort in Cancun not to go, or to at least not soak up alcohol, but they acted like I was an alarmist.
DeleteSinaloa is safe, nothing ever happens here.. mr. Clueless
ReplyDeleteIf ur talking about things to avoid right now, add driving the high way between San Miguel and Celaya 2 your list. At any hour of the day. They are carjacking people, guys w/ asault rifles.
ReplyDeleteYep I live in Comonfort temporarily And read that article the other day..I'm always back n forth on that road.... hoping it doesn't ever happen...ive gotten my vehicle stolen in the past for being at a concert once..I've been traumatized ever since...
DeleteHmmm I still doubt the waves at la saladita and rio nexpa will be empty. Sharks don’t even keep surfers outa da water.
ReplyDeleteAs a long time reader, I want to thank the people here who are trying to warn clueless people (like myself) that it's not always safe to travel in Mexico anymore. I used to have rose-colored glasses and have posted here in the past that I walked through Mexico, Guatemala and other places as a white woman (even was pretty back in my day) with no problems. The only places I felt unsafe happened to be in the US. I now see that I was really pushing my luck back then. I appreciate the people here that took the time to warn some of us that it's not a good idea. If you grow up, like I did, in certain areas of the US, you get the idea that if you're respectful and don't cause problems, that no trouble will come to you, and we get complacent. We go walking through places we have no business being in. Some will disagree with me, but from this woman, your warnings are now heeded.
ReplyDeleteI feel very sorry for the innocent people that have had bad things happen. Mexico is a beautiful country full of nice people; it's too bad that the few bad people ruin it for the rest.
Excellent feedback. I've known countless criminals of all types. Many of them told me how they did their particular crimes and misdeeds.
DeleteAs everyone knows, criminals range from clergy, lawyers, cops, school teachers, judges, politicians, to common robbers, thieves, rapists, child molesters, pimps, prostitutes, burglars, drug dealers and smugglers, and, of course, murderers.
All of the above kinds of criminals have skills, resources, and technology which they apply in their "work".
1. Skills like picking out victims, using weapons, assessing weakness and strengths, etc.
2. Resources. These can include crime partners, tools, informants, and human allies supplying goods and services for doing crimes.
3. Technology. This involves the how, when, where, who, and why do particular crimes.
Yes, my dear "duck" there are many ways to rob, rape, or murder a target with learned skills and expertise.
Prison inmates often get socialized into the various criminal cultures and in learning the 3 items above. Sadly, as many of us realize, sending a ignorant youth to prison can backfire for society by actually "manufacturing" a more dangerous criminal to be loosed in our midst. (lots of books and movies with this theme).
IMO, In the USA, many ex-cons also learn to fear going back to prison and thus "self" restrain themselves from applying their criminal knowledge.
I could tell you stories concerning criminals I've known .... but don't have time.
Mexico-Watcher
Maybe just one story?
Delete