Driving to Baja. How safe is it right now?

Why?, maybe you could shed some light on this whole situation.

 

I have a lot of opinions on the matter, but i will keep them for myself....

 

Then why did you even comment in the first place? Please enlighten us on what is so amusing about a crooked third world Government and out of control drug cartels running around killing people, and crossing international borders without a care in the world ......

 

OK....

Well, there's a lot of violence going on, its true but...

Most of these events are between rival cartel members, in most of the touristic areas of the country the violence or crime has stayed on the same levels as years before, the problem is usually on northern cities, like Juarez, or Nvo Laredo, because cartels are fighting the control of the border, there has been more than 1.5k executions in my state in the past 2 years, but yet I havent seen anything happened near me.... Ive heard gunshots, but usually lasts 30secs...

 

Bottom line, attacks are not against general population, they not randomly kill you just because..... people getting killed is usually because they are on the same shit.... and most of the executed cops are on the same shit too..... so, am I afraid? no.... should you? no..... should we all be careful, yes!

 

Only in a third world country would someone think this is normal and amusing. That is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, but I doubt it ever will be.

 

Because, US is part of the problem too, you are the biggest drug market in the world, and also the biggest arms provider for the Mexican cartels, that's what amuses me....

 

This violence is spreading across the border into the U.S. in the form of burglaries and kidnappings as well. When the cartels start feeling pinched, they turn to alternative methods to make money!

Here is an article about a recent invasion in Tucson related to a Mexican drug cartel, and the associated video shows the shootout that followed:

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?s=9816982

And Phoenix now ranks 2nd in the world in kidnappings and it is directly linked to drug cartel activity:

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/90922

 

This is true, you make a good point. The U.S. has a lot of work to do to try and help this situation as well. The blame is not all on Mexico at all!

 

Oh no, its not normal at all, I agree with you, and yes its being addressed.... but i guess the problem wont end unless everybody that is involved accept its responsibility on the issue.... even in the smallest way...

For example, ive read some posts here, about people that likes to do drugs, smoke a puff, or crack, etc..... thats part of the problem too...

A guns vendor that sells 30 AK47 and 2000 rounds, that's part of the problem too.....

If you know someone that sells drugs, or do drugs and you let that pass by, you are part of the problem too....

So, how does it help that the US government emit those warnings??? Its like saying, lets let the south neighbors kill themselves, just as long as they keep providing us with drugs and buying guns from us...

 

I totally agree! All of those issues fuel the fire. I am not sure what has changed recently though because the violence has been on the rise. Maybe related to poor economy???

 

Me too, but it probably belongs in Off Topic!

 

I live in South Tucson, Arizona and I would say in response to the original question Don't Go. it is not worth the risk. i know that we have been getting warnings around The University Of Arizona and my neighborhood not to go into the border regions. my opinion is i would not want to go into/pass through an area where a war is being waged and not have the proper "tools" to protect myself, especially if there are some nice places to wheel in the states.

 

Yes thats part of the problem, another thing is that some of the cartels grew stronger, and now they are fighting each other for control, thats why all the killings on the streets....

 

If you do want to travel to Mexico i can give you some basic tips I myself apply:

- Do not carry a lot of cash
- Do not drive aggressively, as you never know who is driving in the car next to you....
- Comply with the military checkpoints
- Do not carry weapons
- Try to drive during the day
- Do not frequent doubtful places like cheap Discos, or Bars, try the most touristic spots as there is less chance for something to happen there....
- Do not hook up with strangers, you dont know if a girl is working for someone...

I mean all this is basic survival stuff, just be prudent...