Is Mexico Safe? - Page 3

Gordy · 02-03-2010, 07:58 AM

I used to think that the violence in Mex was over-blown by the media but my perception has changed a lot lately.

In the last three years there have been 15,000 murders that they can attribute to the drug cartels. In Juarez, a city of 1.3 million there were 2,250 murders last year alone with a masacre of school kids last week the latest. The citizens are abandoning that city and it is becoming (if not already) one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
I have read in this forum of all night gun battles in Botapillas. They are murdering police chiefs and officials in Palomas faster than they can be replaced. The entire country is corrupt from the bottom up.
I'm sure that there are still plenty of safer places there, but why risk it?

You can draw your own conclusions and take your own risks, but I'm not down with riding around a country with all that going on.
Baja might be the only exception. It seems to be better with not much bad news coming out of there.

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/j...ms-13-students

T.REX63 · 02-03-2010, 08:12 AM

Well, statistics have their place, no question. But, what are we comparing against?

And, maybe I am bias towards all Latin American countries (if I may use the term broadly

). Maybe I feel a little different because I frequent that part of the world for business as well. In all my travels to Mexico, Central- and South America, I never had any bad experience (not to say it couldn't happen tomorrow...

). Even in the late '80, when I traveled to El Salvador, I didn't feel unsafe.

Of course, you don't move around like you do at home (depending on where that is

). When locals tell you not to travel certain roads at night, you don't question that. When in Rome, ...

I read State Department travel advisories. But, I rather depend on information from locals (especially in business). If they tell me its OK to come, I go. A lot of criminal activity is localized and not affecting an entire country. Unfortunately, that gets overlooked often or is presented in a distorted way.

In the late '90, I was in Jakarta Indonesia, right between the time of the East Timor riots. I never saw any signs of what was going when I was in Jakarta. Trying to leave the country, I got ripped off $50 by a corrupt border official

. But, that comes with the territory and makes for good stories...

TemeculaRider · 02-03-2010, 08:17 AM

So following your analogy of Juarez and not riding in Mexico because of drug hits going on there, since South Central LA is a killing field, should I then not ride in Wymoming? What about the Dakotas? Should I stay out of Montana? How about the Smokey Mountains? Are they unsafe too? I heard that Gary, Indiana has a high murder rate. So should I cancel my ride to Idaho this summer? Oh no! Now I'm worried! Maybe I shouldn't even leave the house this morning!!!

Utter nonsense! Since South Africa has Great White Sharks, maybe I shouldn't swim in the Caribbean?

Gordy · 02-03-2010, 08:18 AM

Don't get me wrong. In my travels to Mex, I have met some of the best, most helpful people ever!

It is just changing a lot when Juarez is now being compared to Somalia or Baghdad. Why deal with that?

Gordy · 02-03-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemeculaRider

So following your analogy of Juarez and not riding in Mexico because of drug hits going on there, since South Central LA is a killing field, should I then not ride in Wymoming? What about the Dakotas? Idaho? Should I stay out of Montana? How about the Smokey Mountains? Are they unsafe too?

the violence is not just in Juarez. check it out.

tricepilot · 02-03-2010, 08:35 AM

Risk is defined by how you perceive it

Kiko · 02-03-2010, 08:44 AM

It's been said at least a hundred times, the murders and kidnappings that are reported in Mexico are by far well planned and targeted. Seldom if ever are Americans targeted unless they were involved in some way.

Some of the third hand reports you get on Advrider may be skewed as to the actual circumstances of the reported event because some reporting these crimes speak little or no Spanish so their comprehension of the event may be somewhat distorted.

I suspect that some of the riders who find themselves in trouble here brought it upon themselves through their own stupidity or ignorance.

k7 · 02-03-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varna2win

The beauty of ADV rider is if you make one comment in here everybody jumps on your ass. Maybe just maybe I don't know shit. One thing is for sure I'm not some candyass that rides a GS & drinks coffee at Starbucks. The Starbucks comment really pissed me off.

Jeebus - here's your original comment:

Quote:

Originally Posted by varna2win

Well, if you have to ride through Juarez or Tijuana to get to your safe place then I think the term," vaya con dios" is appropriate.

Not that it's a bad saying to ever hear - my mother-in-law says something simliar to me everytime I see her but someone simply asked about your experiences in Mexico. So far, you've ducked that one. Care to take another swing? It's a rather simple question.

So far, most of the others who have responded are travelers that I know for a fact who have traveled to Mexico and beyond. Can we add your name to the list? It's actually a pretty cool list - except for LR...we've asked for him to return his secret decoder ring.

evilwerkz · 02-03-2010, 08:54 AM

well, being mexican ( but not looking like one ), has led to some very interesting conclusions on my part, i travel up and down mexico, 10 days ago i was in Matamoros, border town with Brownsville, texas......saw nothing too unusual, but then again, we where not putting ourselves in a dangerous place like all nigth titty bars and stuff as such.....

when i ask around, people tell me the same...drugs cartels versus corrupted cops.....and some inocent by standers

military post ask me the same....where are you going and why, any guns with you ? a polite search at the most, some chat with them....and all is good...i've realized that, maybe lady luck, is with me, because i'm a dum white boys who feras no evil, sees no evil, not even when i was down at San Salvador among maras.....it all depends on your senses and gut, tell you the truth, but if you get shoot or raped by a big monkey in the forest, well, dude, you where just unlucky in my eyes

no fear, live your life, with no fear whatsoever, that's my moto and i'm riding anywhere....well, as far as my little money can take me

wazzuFreddo · 02-03-2010, 08:55 AM

Planing a 3 week trip down to San Luis Potosi this December. Too bad it is going to be in the truck and not on the bike.

TemeculaRider · 02-03-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordy

the violence is not just in Juarez. check it out.

OMG! I thought Mexico was totally devoid of violence! You're telling me it's not?!

So where else is the violence? I'd really like to know. I just got back from 16 days in the Yucatan and Riviera Maya. Is it there? What about 13 days from TJ to Los Cabos and back in late December? Should I not have gone then too? Where do you recommend I ride from now on? I'd also like to warn all the great people I've met and been helped by in Mexico who seem so happy down there! They need to know about this! (the sarcasm is palpable, isn't it?)

Better yet, do this for me: Could you please post some links to reports of completely non-drug-related violence against in Americans in Mexico? I'll be waiting for your answer. As soon as you're done, for every one you post, I'll post 100 reports of non-drug-related violence in the US. Deal?

evilwerkz · 02-03-2010, 09:08 AM

On a side note......on november, a friend from spain, who had never been outside of spain, had to travel to mexico city, somthing about his studies and such, and he was SCARED shitlees ot the mere idea......he got here, i helped him around, got an apartment and would not go out of it unless i picked him up to go somewhere, or take the daily taxi to the college campus.......well, after a month and a half....15 pounds ligther from not going anywahere and not eating much ( another worry....dreaded FOOD ) he started going about by himself after ai showed him around and explained to him, not to go to dangerous known places.....he went back to spain mid january, with the perception that the media from spain had shit so overblown......he enjoyed his last month in mexico, and wants to come back for vacations.....oh, on a final note, the very first day he got here, i had to go to a very nasty part of town, we saw a dead bloody body inside a car as we where walking by, he almost fainted....well, shit happens....but he got over it....i'm used to seeing shit like that, from the time i lived in L.A. and Fresno....drive by all the time in the shitty neighborhood i lived, such is life.....

tricepilot · 02-03-2010, 09:09 AM

evilwerkz · 02-03-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemeculaRider

OMG! I thought Mexico was totally devoid of violence! You're telling me it's not?!

Better yet, do this for me: Could you please post some links to reports of completely non-drug-related violence against in Americans in Mexico? I'll be waiting for your answer. As soon as you're done, for every one you post, I'll post 100 reports of non-drug-related violence in the US. Deal?

Dude, a shark bit an american surfer in Acapulco a couple of decades ago, it was violent and bloody....it was non drug_cartel related, does it count ?

I'm never riding my bike on water again....

varna2win · 02-03-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k7

Jeebus - here's your original comment:

Not that it's a bad saying to ever hear - my mother-in-law says something simliar to me everytime I see her but someone simply asked about your experiences in Mexico. So far, you've ducked that one. Care to take another swing? It's a rather simple question.

So far, most of the others who have responded are travelers that I know for a fact who have traveled to Mexico and beyond. Can we add your name to the list? It's actually a pretty cool list - except for LR...we've asked for him to re
turn his secret decoder ring.

I've been to TJ don't remember it went down there after racing in Carlsbad in 85. My buddies took me there because I hadn't been there yet- a little to much to drink. Been to cabo all the safe amercanized safe places. I can't return my secret decoder ring because I'm not worthy of one yet. I made the statement based on the fellows I work with who travel through there when they go home for Christmas & they always tell you whats going on. I really didn't think about the what I had posted & where. Engage brain before posting .

02-03-2010, 08:12 AM	#32
T.REX63 Motorradfahrer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA / USA Oddometer: 1,646	Well, statistics have their place, no question. But, what are we comparing against? And, maybe I am bias towards all Latin American countries (if I may use the term broadly ). Maybe I feel a little different because I frequent that part of the world for business as well. In all my travels to Mexico, Central- and South America, I never had any bad experience (not to say it couldn't happen tomorrow...). Even in the late '80, when I traveled to El Salvador, I didn't feel unsafe. Of course, you don't move around like you do at home (depending on where that is ). When locals tell you not to travel certain roads at night, you don't question that. When in Rome, ... I read State Department travel advisories. But, I rather depend on information from locals (especially in business). If they tell me its OK to come, I go. A lot of criminal activity is localized and not affecting an entire country. Unfortunately, that gets overlooked often or is presented in a distorted way. In the late '90, I was in Jakarta Indonesia, right between the time of the East Timor riots. I never saw any signs of what was going when I was in Jakarta. Trying to leave the country, I got ripped off $50 by a corrupt border official . But, that comes with the territory and makes for good stories... __________________ Thomas "Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun . T.REX63 screwed with this post 02-03-2010 at 10:05 AM

02-03-2010, 08:35 AM	#36
tricepilot El Gran Payaso Joined: Apr 2006 Location: San Antonio Oddometer: 5,909	Risk is defined by how you perceive it __________________ Oaxaca The Treasure of the Sierra Madre Into the Blue at Quintana Roo Vaquero On Mexican Time Copper Canyon and Batopilas

02-03-2010, 08:44 AM	#37
Kiko Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Jalisco, Mexico Oddometer: 953	It's been said at least a hundred times, the murders and kidnappings that are reported in Mexico are by far well planned and targeted. Seldom if ever are Americans targeted unless they were involved in some way. Some of the third hand reports you get on Advrider may be skewed as to the actual circumstances of the reported event because some reporting these crimes speak little or no Spanish so their comprehension of the event may be somewhat distorted. I suspect that some of the riders who find themselves in trouble here brought it upon themselves through their own stupidity or ignorance. __________________

02-03-2010, 09:09 AM	#43
tricepilot El Gran Payaso Joined: Apr 2006 Location: San Antonio Oddometer: 5,909	__________________ Oaxaca The Treasure of the Sierra Madre Into the Blue at Quintana Roo Vaquero On Mexican Time Copper Canyon and Batopilas

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-03-2010, 07:58 AM	#31
Gordy Team Listo Joined: Dec 2001 Location: NM Oddometer: 18,297	I used to think that the violence in Mex was over-blown by the media but my perception has changed a lot lately. In the last three years there have been 15,000 murders that they can attribute to the drug cartels. In Juarez, a city of 1.3 million there were 2,250 murders last year alone with a masacre of school kids last week the latest. The citizens are abandoning that city and it is becoming (if not already) one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I have read in this forum of all night gun battles in Botapillas. They are murdering police chiefs and officials in Palomas faster than they can be replaced. The entire country is corrupt from the bottom up. I'm sure that there are still plenty of safer places there, but why risk it? You can draw your own conclusions and take your own risks, but I'm not down with riding around a country with all that going on. Baja might be the only exception. It seems to be better with not much bad news coming out of there. http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/crime/j...ms-13-students

02-03-2010, 08:18 AM	#34
Gordy Team Listo Joined: Dec 2001 Location: NM Oddometer: 18,297	Don't get me wrong. In my travels to Mex, I have met some of the best, most helpful people ever! It is just changing a lot when Juarez is now being compared to Somalia or Baghdad. Why deal with that?

02-03-2010, 08:54 AM	#39
evilwerkz Time to ride.... Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Taxco, Mexico...... Oddometer: 193	well, being mexican ( but not looking like one ), has led to some very interesting conclusions on my part, i travel up and down mexico, 10 days ago i was in Matamoros, border town with Brownsville, texas......saw nothing too unusual, but then again, we where not putting ourselves in a dangerous place like all nigth titty bars and stuff as such..... when i ask around, people tell me the same...drugs cartels versus corrupted cops.....and some inocent by standers military post ask me the same....where are you going and why, any guns with you ? a polite search at the most, some chat with them....and all is good...i've realized that, maybe lady luck, is with me, because i'm a dum white boys who feras no evil, sees no evil, not even when i was down at San Salvador among maras.....it all depends on your senses and gut, tell you the truth, but if you get shoot or raped by a big monkey in the forest, well, dude, you where just unlucky in my eyes no fear, live your life, with no fear whatsoever, that's my moto and i'm riding anywhere....well, as far as my little money can take me

02-03-2010, 08:55 AM	#40
wazzuFreddo Custom Loser Title Joined: Aug 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Oddometer: 502	Planing a 3 week trip down to San Luis Potosi this December. Too bad it is going to be in the truck and not on the bike.

02-03-2010, 09:08 AM	#42
evilwerkz Time to ride.... Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Taxco, Mexico...... Oddometer: 193	On a side note......on november, a friend from spain, who had never been outside of spain, had to travel to mexico city, somthing about his studies and such, and he was SCARED shitlees ot the mere idea......he got here, i helped him around, got an apartment and would not go out of it unless i picked him up to go somewhere, or take the daily taxi to the college campus.......well, after a month and a half....15 pounds ligther from not going anywahere and not eating much ( another worry....dreaded FOOD ) he started going about by himself after ai showed him around and explained to him, not to go to dangerous known places.....he went back to spain mid january, with the perception that the media from spain had shit so overblown......he enjoyed his last month in mexico, and wants to come back for vacations.....oh, on a final note, the very first day he got here, i had to go to a very nasty part of town, we saw a dead bloody body inside a car as we where walking by, he almost fainted....well, shit happens....but he got over it....i'm used to seeing shit like that, from the time i lived in L.A. and Fresno....drive by all the time in the shitty neighborhood i lived, such is life.....