Cartels
 

Hello again, recently, in the news, we have read that the cartels are threatening to behead Americans (because of US interference in their business, drugs I assume). We are not Americans but we sure may look like them. How worried should we be? We are going to CDMX and then SLP, San Miguel Allende, Guanajuato etc.
Thoughts?

What news? Who said that? That is 'fake news' as they say these days.

As a normal tourist in Mexico minding their own business it is extremely unlikely you will be even noticed individually, yet alone kidnapped or beheaded. Why would anyone do that? How would you even cross paths with gangsters?

This is one news article on it: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ash-patel.html

Patricia, you seem pretty adept at finding articles highlighting violence in Mexico, of which there are many. Mexico hosted 45 million international tourists last year. I'd suggest a research project to see how many of them were kidnapped or beheaded. Start in the places you actually intend to visit.

I’m in Oaxaca for several months & recently my son sent me one of those articles. There was a list of target resorts, Cancun, etc. So rather than argue that it was “fake news” I simply said I’m in none of those places & never will be. That seemed to satisfy him. So bald0ne’s suggestion to concentrate on places you might actually visit is a good one, fake or not.

Daily Mail is a "conservative tabloid". Might want to check other more responsible news sources for information.

And, yes, there is that.

Thoughts on what you could do:

1. Stop reading the tabloid press and relax
2. Cancel your flights and go elsewhere
3. Buy a tee shirt with a printed logo saying "I am not American, please don't chop my head off"

"we have read that the cartels are threatening to behead Americans"

While this is not true, if it is making you nervous and you actually believe this could happen, I agree with the post above. Lots of places other than Mexico to take your vacation trip.

Someone came up to me after church yesterday and asked me about these supposed "beheadings." I thought, huh? Have you been reading a certain thread in the Fodor's Forum? :omg: She knew I had recently been in Guadalajara working on a chapter for a Fodor's guidebook, and she wanted my take on it.

I agree with what's been said here: If you stay on the standard tourist path, such a fear is irrational. But if you're going to spend your whole time in Mexico worrying about such things, you should go elsewhere.

I think there are plenty of things a person could "worry about" when visiting Mexico, beccause it IS different than what you may be used to. But if you mind your own business and don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong, any involvement with the "cartel" is high extremely unlikely.

Just do it. You'll get addicted. We just returned from CDMX spending most of our time walking 8 to 12 miles a day through Roma and Condesa as well as downtown. We never felt any danger in the least. We walked at night as did many other people. Use normal caution as you would in any big city. You're more likely to be pick-pocketed then you are of being beheaded but please let us know if the latter happens to you.

After CDMX we spent a week in Queretaro. Now that's a whole different story there and takes the feeling of safety to another level. I felt like we were in a 50's movie it was so peaceful and tranquil. We spent most evenings walking what I felt was the best centro historico that we have seen so far. I heard the city has won awards for its safety and cleanliness. Ubers are super easy and super cheap if you feel unsafe but more than likely you will take because you have just worn yourself out. The place has such a strong hold on our hearts we're already talking about how soon we can return and see more. There is no place I have visited where I have felt so safe. We did feel that Spanish was more important there than in more touristy towns.

We were in San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato in May. We felt very safe there as well. It seemed easier to get around there speaking English.

The people are often SO friendly and accommodating we found it easy to make friends and there was a waitress or two that we wished we could pack up and bring home with us.

I'm the neighborhood watch person of our neighborhood and we live in a small town on the central coast of CA considered safe. Honestly, I felt safer in cities like San Miguel and Queretaro. Is there Cartel around? Of course. They own the place and vacation there and no doubt launder money using some of the lavish businesses you will note. Will you ever see them, or will they ever bother you? No. You are a paying customer. Your head is the last thing they want.

We all know the Mafia/Camorra/N'Drangheta, etc etc is active in New York. Would you worry about coming here?
I don't mean to poke fun but your concern really does strike me as unwarranted.
When was the last time you heard about a tourist being beheaded in Mexico?

^^^ Exactly!^^^

I hate to say it, but I felt much safer in the places we visited then I do in most of the United States. We had never been to Mexico; my siblings and parents would never go to Mexico due to the same fears that many people have. They are missing out, and we missed out all these years. Let's not be naive. There are crime and corruption all over the earth. There is only one Mexican culture, and it is amazing. If you do go, I highly encourage learning a bit of Spanish, and about their history and asking questions. I was thanked by tour guides and Uber drivers for taking an interest. Plus, they do have a fascinating history, much of which westerners are blind to.

Mafia would be almost an exact equation. Territorial, and will kill each other over it. That's what you hear on the news. Same thing in Detroit, NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, St Luis, and so on. If you're not dealing in their trade, you won't know they exist. On the other hand, I have heard of them getting into neighborhoods in such places as north of Cancun. Keep up with the news about where is safe and where is not. I wouldn't walk in most of CA at night, much less many of the States. Know your surroundings, be smart, be aware. Beware of scams.

My first scam was before I left the house. Booking.com offered a fancy taxi ride picking us up at the airport and taking us to our lodging. We were picked up by an Uber driver and had to walk 3 blocks to the car after paying Booking.com $35 in advance. That was our very first arrival in PV. On the other hand, if you call an Uber when you land, they will probably offer to take you around for cheap. One driver we started a conversation with was a contract engineer. He picked up on our interest in the area and offered to drive us through some neighborhoods for no additional charge. Tip: TIP! Western style. They will love you. Stop being afraid.

To Bear ~ Lovely posts. I'm in Mexico now (Puerto Vallarta) and this is certainly not a concern (that I am worried about being 'beheaded').

But when someone has these kinds of fears (even if not based in reality) I worry things might not go well. Like when the taxi driver takes a back route from the airport because of traffic (happened here two days ago) are they going to think they are being kidnapped?

My best tip for that would be to speak some Spanish. I don't speak it at all, but my wife is fairly fluent. Once you open a conversation and they become engaged the trust factor (on both sides) seems to grow. If my wife didn't start a conversation in Spanish I would in English, then she would translate. I made it a point to get this going as soon as possible. It's interesting what you can find out. Good restaurants, places to see, that they have lived in the US at one time. They are people just like us, well perhaps friendlier. Don't be surprised if they try to impress you by pulling a cerveza out of their cooler and offering it to you. Thank you, no, but that was pretty funny. They aims to please. Personally, I liked Uber drivers over taxi drivers.

All very interesting, but what does this have to do with the original posters perceived risk of being beheaded by drug cartels? To enable negotiation with any attackers perhaps?

Yes..you would definitely want to put together a sizable ransom and leave that, in cash, with a friend or relative. Make sure to memorize that person's phone numbers.
So if worse comes to worst, you're covered.

You need to travel with a high limit credit card to be admited to hospitals here, or so I've been told.

Love the sarcasm guys!

Yes Bear900, I have never been to the US, I am too frightened of being chased down the street for the obligatory (and ridiculous) 20 percent+ tip every time you move...not for me!

This will be the 4th time I'm going to Mexico, and as you, Ekscrunchy, know I am a seasoned traveller: returning from India I travelled through Pakistan, Afghanistan (yes, saw the original Buzkashi in Kabul), Iran, stopping off in Southern Russia, Turkey, Greece, Crete, caught a plane to Cairo, Egypt, Sudan (spent a month there), Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.... Not such a scaredy-cat ;).

So, rest assured, I AM going and I appreciate all your "helpful" input

It wasn't sarcasm, and sorry you didn't find it "helpful". Sharing what I have experienced in 30+ trip as a typical visitor in Mexico, I only know Puerto Vallarta well.

Since you've been all over the world, in much more dramatic places than major towns and cities of Mexico, I'm surprised you are concerned about fake news is all and why people responded as they did.

Seriously, Patricia, you'll be fine and I can almost guarantee that you will love Mexico. And since you are not American, no worries about losing your head!! (just kidding!!)
Traveling within that country, almost wherever you will go, will be a lot less demanding than traveling in India, etc!!! (So great that you were able to go to Afghanistan back then!!)


I wish you a "Buen viaje!!"

You don’t have to worry about cartels, but note that there have been road closures between SLP and CDMX. I spent nine hours on the bus on Monday. Consider flying.

Ugh. What was the deal, Fra? Construction, accidents, both? Usually the delays are north of SLP. Plus on the southbound side of 57 at the Chichimequillas toll booth outside Queretaro. On our last trip to CDMX there was an hour delay southbound because of a pilgrimage, and a 2 hour delay on the return trip because of an accident between Queretaro & Celaya.

I heard it was a transport workers’ action, but don’t know for certain. Details to follow in the trip report.