43 Missing Students in Mexico

Old Nov 15th, 2014, 10:33 AM
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43 Missing Students in Mexico

Mexico is one of my favorite countries and a place where we vacation as much as possible. I lived there for two years, have been to 28 out of 32 states, have many Mexican friends, have considered retiring there, and return every winter with a group of three families to rent villas in beach areas (this year we're going to Tulum).

Until now I have been an apologist about the corruption and violence: 'it's only in certain areas,' 'it doesn't affect tourists,' 'media reports are exaggerated,' 'dangers exist everywhere,' etc. etc. However, the involvement of the local government and police in the murder of the 43 students in Guerrero has brought me over the edge. I'm beyond furious that a country blessed with such wonderful people, fascinating culture, gorgeous cities and divine nature could have such a dark side. I'm curious about what other travelers think.

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/14/364138...dents-continue
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 12:37 PM
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There have been several mentions, and at least one thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...-execution.cfm

Terrible tragedy.
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 01:10 PM
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I can understand your frustration and grief... I too feel somewhat at a lost as to what to think about this whole issue. This said, I am also aware that the vast majority of Mexicans feel the same way we do. Malicious intent and unspeakable horrors, happen all around the world. It brings to mind certain tragedies that have occurred in my own country such as the beheading of a Greyhound bus passenger inflicted by some person with a hunting knife witnessed by the other passengers in horror. Unfortunately, there are many other such tragedies that have occurred since, in my own country, Canada. I truly believe that the Good Lord in heaven will help shoulder the burden that their families and friends must bare and that the perpetrators will soon meet their own fate. Life goes on, and as responsible adults and loving parents it is upon us to share the love and the good things that life has to offer. I, for one,commend you for bringing up such a difficult subject and hope that it never happens again., God bless !
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Old Nov 16th, 2014, 05:36 PM
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Thanks for your responses.

Rohelio, horrific scenario, but an anomaly. You don't have to worry about govt. officials and police in Canada ever being involved in such events.

Fra, I've checked out the lounge thread. Commenters there, for the most part, are more intent on bickering with each other than offering insights...not that there are many sides to the story in this situation.

For the first time in many, many years, I'm so angry about this situation that I'm not looking forward to our winter trip. Anyone else in the same boat?

As the hashtag says, #YaMeCansé
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 01:31 PM
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<intent on bickering with each other than offering insights>

I'm not sure what "insights" there are to be offered?
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 01:32 PM
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I just returned from two weeks in Mexico last Friday and had a wonderful experience as always in Puerto Vallarta, so no, not in the same boat.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 04:21 PM
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So glad you had a good time! There were a large protest in PV, but I think before you were there. Another one scheduled for Thursday.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 08:45 AM
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This incident is indeed very sad and outrageous! Just to think that the criminals being sought and held in prison are officials place there by the people makes me sick. However, although there are massive demonstrations in Guerrero and surrounding cities down south in the Riviera Maya you don’t hear about those incidents, well at least not yet. This certainly doesn’t mean the populace around here don’t care, I think most people want all this to end and those responsible held accountable. @suze I hope you have a great time on your planned vacation in this area, Tulum is such a quiet and beautiful place to be.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 08:47 AM
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apologies i meant @crosscheck I hope you have a great time in Tulum.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 09:10 AM
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It is horrible. I hope it leads to dramatic changes to get rid of the corruption in Mexico. But I'm still going to Mexico in a couple weeks.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 01:37 PM
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Shanti, We're going too. But I know others who will now not consider Mexico. A friend just canceled a trip to see her sister in Ajijic and a colleague canceled a villa rental in PV.

breakawaybelize, There have been large protests in Cancun and the Riviera Maya area, including a cancellation of classes for 3 days at la Universidad de Quintana Roo and other schools in Playa del Carmen. There was a call for a 72-hour labor stoppage throughout QR, but that had a lukewarm response.

I've seen lots of coverage about protests, but mostly in the Mexican and Latin American press. This piece has a list of demonstrations organized all over the country:

http://pagina24.com.mx/nacional/2014...de-ayotzinapa/

There have also been protests in Europe and the Pope addressed the issue over the weekend.

My sense, after speaking to Mexican friends, is that people are now truly sickened and fed up, in a different way than before - This is a tipping point which may or may not lead to change, but will not fade away like previous massacres.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 01:40 PM
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I just spend two weeks in Puerto Vallarta. In my experience I did not meet a single person who was talking about this tragic event.
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Old Nov 19th, 2014, 06:57 PM
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crosscheck, I hope it is the tipping point. It is so very tragic, those poor students and their families. I love Mexico and want this gorgeous, fascinating country to find a way to peace and safety for its citizens.
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 06:14 AM
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It is an infuriating situation. I travel to PDC several times every year and have been doing so for years in spite of all the negative press and family concerns. In the past I've been able to brush aside the naysayers among my family and friends because I've always known and felt safe in the Yucatan.

This June my DD and SIL are planning a wedding celebration/reception near PDC and most of the family is invited. This recent turn of events has me feeling quite unable and unwilling to simply brush aside concerns and anger over these missing kids. I suddenly find myself in a position where I cannot make excuses or rationalize for family and friends possible feelings of not wanting to go to Mexico.

Selfishly I want DD and new son-in-law to have the beautiful beach side event they have been dreaming about and planning for months but I think we're going to have to be very respectful and understanding of anyone's declination simply because of the venue. Way to to Mexico, screw up your own best interests! Like I said; infuriating!!
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 09:31 AM
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I think I see two related but different issues under discussion here:
1. Do you personally feel safe enough to travel to Mexico?
2. Does the violence and corruption sour you on traveling to Mexico, even if you do not fear coming to harm yourself?

For me, question #1 is, yes, and we're going in March. Of course, government corruption is different from general human violence, but the way I look at it, perhaps delusionally, is that I could get shot in a movie theater right here in the USA, or kidnapped and killed in Mexico, or I could fall prey to any of a thousand calamities. What a joke if I cancel my trip to Mexico and then get swallowed by a sinkhole in Florida!

As for #2, that is what really bothers me, the fact that the wonderful people of Mexico are victims of a corrupt, ineffective government. And it worries me a bit as a tourist that all bets are off there. I don't want to penalize the small business owners who benefit from tourism, but I wonder if a drop in tourism money would help spur the governments of the US and Mexico to act? (I say both countries because they are inextricably entwined. You know the old saying, Poor Mexico! So far from God, so close to the US. Money is at the heart of the corruption and violence in Mexico, after all.)
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 10:39 AM
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Yes, NewbE, you nailed it. Mexico is no more dangerous than previously, even with this atrocity in the international limelight. Most who were cool about going there before the Iguala incident will probably still continue to go. However, I know people in the position of jette's daughter's wedding guests (Major congrats, BTW!), and they a) are concerned about their own safety and b) don't want to visit a country in the middle of a violent, horrific drug war.

One of our winter travel group (a 10-year tradition) has said that after this year we need to find a new destination... not because he's afraid, but because the event in Iguala crossed the line into a new level of government-condoned lawlessness.

I do think a tourist boycott would change things. It worked in Colombia (Medellin has cleaned up its act and is now the capital of start-ups in SA!)...and that's partially why the corruption is amped up in Mexico.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a52cf2a6-f...#axzz3JdgAt0Ec

For those of us who know and love Mexico, it's all so frustrating. That saying says it all.
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 11:45 AM
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Well it could certainly crash a local economy. Let's say all tourists stopped going to Puerto Vallarta, for example, a good portion of the local population would be out of work.
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 11:50 AM
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Yes, suze, there's the rub. Short term pain for long term gain might be worth it, but tell that to the B&B owner, or the maids who work there.
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 12:02 PM
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I personally don't believe it would be an effective method to change the big picture politics of an entire country. But I do believe you could easily well ruin the lives of a lot of regular people along the way.
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Old Nov 20th, 2014, 12:29 PM
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Nobody is talking about an organized boycott, suze But if travelers stop going because they're angry or paralyzed by fear, I can imagine the government finally taking action, the way they're cleaning up their act in Cd. Juarez. The problem is that for fundamental change to occur, there needs to be a change in the drug economy of the US as well.
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