Violence in Yucatan

[BTravlin]

The Mexican security forces are ill equipped to deal with the problem since they have been completely compromised by the drug trade.

"completely compromised"???

Yes, the drug trade and the vast amounts of money involved often bring corruption into police agencies, and I'm sure the Mexican police agencies are not immune to this corruption, but saying they are "completely compromised' is a serious exaggeration.

[DandyDon]

I resent your statement, and your tone, there's equal or worse violence in your country. This incident was far removed from the major tourist areas, and unless visitors to Mexico are not involved with dealings with drug traffickers, they should be able to enjoy a nice vacation.

In my country women don't put babies in the microwave to get back at their boyfriends, and our children do not shoot each other at school, I think you need to re-evaluate you post thoroughly...

You had a valid point until the end of your post and now your just as guilty.
I think you also need to evaluate your post thoroughly .

I thot it was rather reasonable. There are differences, some cultural, some drug war related, some just different, but I feel much safer in the tourist areas of the Yucatan than I do in downtown Dallas at night, or Detroit in daytime.

Yeah, it's Mexico and we are outsiders when we go - but it's not Columbia. (Can I say that...?)

[deeper thoughts]

I thot it was rather reasonable. There are differences, some cultural, some drug war related, some just different, but I feel much safer in the tourist areas of the Yucatan than I do in downtown Dallas at night, or Detroit in daytime.

Yeah, it's Mexico and we are outsiders when we go - but it's not Columbia. (Can I say that...?)

Wow if you agree with the statements in regard to the women and children then there is not much more for me to say

[DandyDon]

Wow if you agree with the statements in regard to the women and children then there is not much more for me to say

Not the norm, but all too common these days. Amazing how things have changed in the US. Some countries are issuing advisories for dangerous US travel, and I can't argue too much. Hell, I felt safer in Amsterdam's Red Light district at midnight (just looking, ty) than most US cities....

[deeper thoughts]

Not the norm, but all too common these days. Amazing how things have changed in the US. Some countries are issuing advisories for dangerous US travel, and I can't argue too much. Hell, I felt safer in Amsterdam's Red Light district at midnight (just looking, ty) than most US cities....

Agreed but it is probably common in all countries not just ours

[ScubaSam]

Just came across this thread now and am rather late in the game so I'll be brief.

I returned from Riviera Maya a week ago after spending nine days diving and enjoying the region. I was there with three married couples, each couple had two small children (ages: a 6 yr old, two 4 yr olds, a 3 yr old, two 2 yr olds) and we stayed at El Cid Resort in Puerto Morelos.

I was the only diver in the group and wanted to spent as much time underwater as my computer would allow so I spent all my time at the marina and only left the resort to dive the cenotes and snorkel with the whale sharks. My nondiving travel mates were in and out of the resort throughout the day sightseeing, shopping and touring. Granted we were in the tourist areas of Mexico we never once felt that our safety nor the children's safety were at risk.

And yes, we were all aware of the drug related violence, which is not limited to the country of Mexico, when we booked our trip. We are considering a return trip in early January 2009.

[Teamcasa]

Sorry to sound a little pithy but where there are drugs and drug dealers, there will be crime. Mexico is not the standard or the exception. I travel to Baja frequently and despite the headlines, I fell very safe while there.

[driftwood]

"completely compromised"???

Yes, the drug trade and the vast amounts of money involved often bring corruption into police agencies, and I'm sure the Mexican police agencies are not immune to this corruption, but saying they are "completely compromised' is a serious exaggeration.

I don't think that 'completely compromised' is an exaggeration at all. The Zeta's were originally organized from the ranks of the Mexican security forces. Instead of just taking bribes from the traffickers, they decided to go into competition with them.

The Mexican police operate on a patronage system rather than the civil service system we are familiar with. When you combine that with extremely low pay, you will always get massive levels of corruption. Today the money is in drugs and kidnappings. Won't stop me from going to Mexico a couple times a year. I stay in the main tourist areas and know I am perfectly safe.

[vrykolakas]

I don't think that 'completely compromised' is an exaggeration at all. The Zeta's were originally organized from the ranks of the Mexican security forces. Instead of just taking bribes from the traffickers, they decided to go into competition with them.

The Mexican police operate on a patronage system rather than the civil service system we are familiar with. When you combine that with extremely low pay, you will always get massive levels of corruption. Today the money is in drugs and kidnappings. Won't stop me from going to Mexico a couple times a year. I stay in the main tourist areas and know I am perfectly safe.

So what about the Police Departments in the US that are under investigation by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies? I am not talking about BFE South Dakota, I mean Miami, LA, Detroit, etc... all big cities, huge crime problems, huge corruption issues, but no, when someone mentions Mexico, then all hell breaks loose.. I'll tell you what, if you're so afraid to come to Mexico because of the "unstoppable, hair-raising, willies giving violence", then stay home and don't bash MY COUNTRY just because Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh think its cool to do so..

All others are still welcome, and we'll have a cold cerveza when you come down to my neck of the woods.

[Teamcasa]

So what about the Police Departments in the US that are under investigation by the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies? I am not talking about BFE South Dakota, I mean Miami, LA, Detroit, etc... all big cities, huge crime problems, huge corruption issues, but no, when someone mentions Mexico, then all hell breaks loose.. I'll tell you what, if you're so afraid to come to Mexico because of the "unstoppable, hair-raising, willies giving violence", then stay home and don't bash MY COUNTRY just because Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh think its cool to do so..

All others are still welcome, and we'll have a cold cerveza when you come down to my neck of the woods.

Pacifico?
It’s real easy to when you are a member of the BIUSA (Born in the USA) club to ridicule other countries and make comments like “We need a fence.” Currently some of the more right than most Republicans have made illegal immigration a big issue, not really to stop it but as a tool to attack the Democrats.

But all is not lost, those same people will still accept contracts by the lowest bidder for construction, cleaning and janitorial services, harvesting crews and scream like crazy if their local meat processing plant gets closed. Kind of like a traffic cop that holds up one hand stopping the traffic in one direction while waving the other lane of traffic through.