Stabbings in Antigua
 

I am not at home now, but my DH just sent me the link to some disturbing events that happened last week in Antigua and seem to have been brushed under the rug by INGUAT and the Guatemalan government. The link he sent me was:

www.ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-655274

This report was based on 2 blog posts of questionable validity. I don't really doubt that violent acts occurred but this has been talked about on 2 Thorntree threads and the accuracy of the reports and reporters has been questioned.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=2096195
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...readID=2096425

As the link says, CNN does no vetting of its i-reports as it does with work by its own reporters. There's no editing or fact-checking, and from a writing standpoint, the piece is poorly written.

I don't doubt that something disturbing happened in Antigua, but I'd like to see it covered by a real reporter.

Yeah, the blog that appears to be associated with the ireport has this disclaimer:

"...the content herein is meant to be for the general amusement of the public at large, much like the daily horoscope, if not the cartoon section."

http://michaelsherer.com/disclaimer/

I don't want to brush this off as unimportant or anything. I've complained here about the way the tourist industry in Costa Rica circles the wagons when something bad happens and tries to hush things up or, worse yet, tries to blame the victim(s). So I want to hear the details about what happened in Antigua. I just want to hear about it from a real news source.

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html

Reliable info in crime safety in Guatemala not the safest

of areas lots of activity of MS-13 and other Maras(Gangs)

Lots of Xenophobia from locals... Lots more crime issues

www.aroundantigua.com due to this but lots safer than GC for me.

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. In 2010, approximately 55 murders a week were reported in Guatemala City alone. While the vast majority of murders do not involve foreigners, the sheer volume of activity means that local officials, who are inexperienced and underpaid, are unable to cope with the problem. Rule of law is lacking as the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Well-armed criminals know there is little chance they will be caught or punished.

The number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens and other foreigners has remained high and incidents have included, but are not limited to, assault, theft, armed robbery, carjacking, rape, kidnapping, and murder, even in areas once considered safe such as zones 10, 14, and 15 in the capital. To decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim, do not display items of value, such as laptops, IPods, cameras, and jewelry. The Embassy discourages carrying large sums of money. Do not resist if you are being robbed. Victims have been killed when they resisted attack. Assailants are often armed with guns and do not hesitate to use them if you resist.

Gangs are a growing concern in both Guatemala City and rural Guatemala. Gang members are often well armed with sophisticated weaponry and they sometimes use massive amounts of force. Emboldened armed robbers have attacked vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural roads increases the risk of being stopped by a criminal roadblock or ambush. Widespread narcotics and alien-smuggling activities make remote areas especially dangerous. However, there is no evidence that Americans are specifically targeted. Criminals look for every opportunity to attack, so all travelers should remain constantly vigilant.

(That's a quote from his 1st link in the previous post.)

"A real news source" Do you think CNN is going to send Anderson Cooper to cover these events? Get a grip! If I discounted every entry on any of Fodor's forums that has poor grammar or spelling errors, well, I would never read a darned thing on here. You need to be aware that just because the "blogger" does write a lot of trashy stuff, he lives in Antigua and does know what is going on. Six people were attacked on one night in Antigua..whether you like it or not!

Well, for apocryphal input, I am in Antigua now and everything looks to be completely normal. Nobody has issued any warnings of friendly advice, and they would have if anything were out of the ordinary. Note this is but a single data point. Cogitate wisely.

No one here said there weren't stabbings, Judi. No one expects it to be Anderson Cooper who reports from Guatemala. But the CNN site admits that it doesn't apply the same rigor to its i-reporters as it does to, yes, its real reporters. It did not vet this particular report at all. I'm saying that I want to hear more from a real news reporter about this. And, yes, I've come to expect news reports that CNN publishes to be well written. This was not.

I would be interested in details, was this day or night, where in Antigua, all attacks at the same time etc etc. I personally never walk at night in Antigua, it just isnt necessary or wise. Were the victims gringos? We will probably never know but as hopefulist has said many times......just be wise & careful, no purse or jewelry or anything flashy etc Certainly does not change my plans to go to Antigua!