For those of you living in Mexico-Cartel battles

In addition to the news about Nuevo Laredo and all the violence there, the New Mexico Governor declared an emergency in four counties today due to smuggling, drugs, and violence. My question-is the current drug battle between the Gulf Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel affecting those of you in Mexico not in border states? Just curious if violence has reached non-border areas or the usual problems in and around Mexico City.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/08/12/new...ion=cnn_latest

[bear]

An interesting question. Most crime "in and around" Mexico City comes from
groups of petty criminals called "rateros" by the locals. They infest all the poorer (and rich) Colonias in and around the City. DF locals have that type crime to mostly deal with.... Most Mexicans believe that the drug problem is an American problem, i.e., no market for drugs in America, no supply industry, no problem. But then, many Mexicans have a low opinion of American government and policies.
Dont get this wrong, Mexican people seem to treat Americans as they would treat anyone who is not family or friend. In this, there is equality. And I can only speak about this Mexican attitude on drugs from personal experience
in living in "all Mexican Colonias" in Mexico City area and here in Queretaro.
Drug war crime does not seem to be the problem here in Central Mexico as
it has been along the border. Besides, my neighbors think it is an American problem, not Mexican. I think time will tell us if this is true.

Most of Mexico is safer than your average big city in the U.S.

Originally Posted by DonPalomares

Most of Mexico is safer than your average big city in the U.S.

That has been my impression in traveling in and around Toluca and Mexico City. I was just curious if the recent problems had changed anything. Thanks...

[Rolfster]

I think if you ask most people who have traveled or lived in Mexico, is that it is pretty safe when it comes to physical harm. I personally have never had any situation where I thought I was in danger. I do know of a friend and his wife who were held up (at gunpoint- so much for there not being guns in Mexico) while camping out in Northern Baja - that was years ago now, and his story did make the paper. To put it in perspective, of the dozens and dozens of times that I or friends have camped out, this was the one bad situation.

In my opinion however, there are things going on in Mexico that the officials need to deal with quickly and to the public's satisfaction, otherwise it will start to affect tourism as it already has in Nuevo Laredo. Only a few violent cases in different places need to take place for it to affect the entire country, in terms of public perception and the feeling of safety for the would be traveler. Ignoring it, distracting from it or crying foul every time the US State Dept issues a warning is not going to cut it.

One other thing, regarding the drug trade. It would be very naive for the Mexican people to continue to think that the drug trade is only an American problem. Large cities in Mexico have their own drug problems and the associated violence and social decay that goes with it.

Tijuana is a prime example- granted a border town and a rather large one at that. Not long ago a story in the weekly Reader was done highlighting the street kids, and their addiction to all maner of drugs. For the local officials it is a big problem. For dealers, any customer is a good customer, and just as well if they are right in the neighborhood and don't have to deliver to the north.

My hope is that Mexico goes on a big public message campaign to keep kids and everyone else off drugs, creates more opportunities for economic opportunity and hope, and continues to keep fostering Mexico as a safe place to visit. Right now, Nuevo Laredo is just the city that is completely off the charts and they need to get on top of the situation.

Right, Rolf , and informative post...however, my usually optimistic nature cannot help but see that drug education and eradication in Mexico (and the USA) would have to begin with the issue of corruption. The cartels have bought many politicians, federales, and basically the money is so great that there are very men like the new Nuevo Laredo police chief who will take a stand and risk their lives vs. the guns and drug lords.

I am not a law enforcement officer or expert, but it seems to me until Mexico is serious about removing the corruption present at many levels, including high levels of the government, there will be little advances.

If anyone here is old enough, the old Glenn Fry song rings in my head, "Smugglers Blues":

"See it in the headlines
You hear it ev'ry day
They say they're gonna stop it
But it doesn't go away
They move it through Miami
Sell it in L.A.
They hide it up in Telluride
I mean it's here to stay
It's propping up the governments
Of Columbia and Peru
You ask any D.E.A. man
He'll say there's nothin we can do
From the office of the President
Right down to me and you
Me and you
It's a losing proposition
But one you can't refuse
It's the politics of contraband
It's the smuggler's blues
Smuggler's blues"

Ah, Miami Vice and 1980's flashbacks.......

[Rolfster]

Good point JC,
Corruption is another big and related issue. But I'll ask the question - if there were fewer customers, and reduced demand, would there still be the same amount of money to go around to line pockets?

Exactly, Rolf. Supply and demand. It is avicious cycle. I sure don't know the answers. It seems if we start getting more cross border violence in Nuevo Laredo and in the areas that Gov. Richardson declared emergencies in New Mexico, we may see a renewed emphasis on education, prevention, and cutting the demand side. One can always hope.

[bear]

Tijuanero,
You will have no argument with this conservative on the Mexico/America
drug problem. Legalization, regulation and taxation are the only real
solution to this mess. Does anyone remember the mess we were in with
prohibition? Truly, it is time for the US to get off the victorian high horse
and put some realism in its drug policy. It would put our Mexican and American drug lords and cartels out of business post haste. Bear

Being an ex-law enforcement person & loser of the next highest rank because of my feelings about "MJ" I have this to say. I do agree that cut off the reason for supply and the dealers go belly up. I served in many areas of the Americas at one time or another & the answer I agree with is always the same. However, the goody two shoes should give some thought to the damage of health, home & families of the alcohol consumers which I feel is actually more damaging than "MJ". I have dealt with all levels of illigal transactions & I just get sick and tired of all the people that think that prayer, etc. will stop illicit drugs.
Nuff said.