Mexico, Violence and Safety

[John A]

Originally Posted by aquarian

I have spent a good bit of time in Mexico and have native relatives still there. I found the people to be awesome - especially mine, and the government to be pretty dang corrupt. However, my concern stems from incidents that I encountered in the US (anchored off of a FL state park) and involving folks who looked and sounded an aweful lot like my relatives. I watched illegal immigrants enter the the US with a lot of baggage (don't know what was in it). I watched others attempt to board my boat while I was ashore. I reported this to the Coast Guard, the State Park system, and the FBI. I returned to the same local the next year and it was still going on. So much for our, US, government keeping the peace.
Both times we were there about a week, and niether time did anyone bother us other than the boat boarding incident. I got the feeling that they really didin't care about us as long as we didn't interfere - but they did seem interested in the "unattended" boat. I should add that after the fact and with better knowledge of the area and what was going on, when our boat was approached, we were anchored in a marked area. I believe they marked it, and we were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
All of that said. I would plan and travel carefully - mainly to stay out of the way of those making a dishonest living.

So, if I read this right, you went somewhere and had a negitive experience of such importance that it upset you.
Then, the next year you went back, and sure enough, it happened again.

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by jackiepitts

Ummm isn't this about Mexico? Why the story about Florida? Am I missing something?

Well, it made sense to me, because Mexico would be totally safe without the people.
What I got from Aquarian's post was that he has Mx relatives in Mexico, he has spent a lot of time there, and they are great.
But people who sounded like his rellies (Mx), out of their home environment, illegals most likely, were burgling boats. He did the right thing by reporting it, and found a year later it was still going on... authorities hadn't, or couldn't control it.
The point I got was that Mexicans are great people, but in some circumstances some of them can't be trusted.... just like most places on the planet...

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by xxuxx

So Aquarian....you couldn't lend a hand to help these people??? Do you have any idea of what they have gone through to come here or are you going to take the route of saying they have no visa, hence they are breaking the law? Do you have have any F'ing...idea of what they went through to get here??? Or that they were denied a visa after paying half of their salary just for the right to apply for one? Your ignorance of humanity is not alone....many cruisers and US citizens have no idea of what it is like to live in poverty.. You can visit thier country, but they cannot visit yours? Is that fair? All they want is to care for their family.
Wake up and open your eyes to life in central America!!! You want to sail there, why not help those you visit.?

What is it with you people?
Are you so preoccupied with your own pet issue that you miss what people are actually saying, and react to where you've decided they're coming from?

I don't need to defend Aquarian, he sounds smart enough to cope with that and then some...
What I find amazing is that a story of his experience, with plenty of good things to say about Mexico and Mexicans, has met with such aggression, vitriol even.

Truth is we get the same dumb, ill thought out reactions over here with regard to boat people/assylum seekers...

xxuxx... it's not a question of being heartless, it's a question keeping control of your borders and law and order. One country can't fix all the problems of another country, and it's f#!*k-witted to think you can. Your reasoning says throw the borders open and bugger the consequences..
It's my guess you're either down there as an aid worker, laudable, but unlikely because aid workers seldom have time for boats... or you're so far away from it that the dailiness of the problem doesn't touch you.... damn easy to be selfrighteous from a distance...

I've re-read Aquarian's post and I can't for the life of me see what's got these reactions...

[Mule]

OK, I get it to some degree. You can go to Mexico, but do not bring your defensive shotgun. 10% of the population will be armed spread =ally between government and non government locals. 90% of the armed ones are gangsters both in uniform and civilian.

It is far more dangerous near the border of the US than ALMOST anywhere in the world but your chances are pretty good of not being molested if you are away from the border. Do not show any vestages of wealth on the streets...Leave the Rolex on the boat and hidden.

La Pesca is on the east coast about 150+- from Brownsville and I was/am considering spend a lot of time there in retirement. Nice river system, Jetty with deep water channels and from Google Earth looks like a pretty good hurricane hole. The big BUT is whether or not that is a Narco shipping point for sea transport of drugs to the USA thereby bring in the gangster dangers to me, old blue eyes?

La Pesca is close enough to the USA to get there in about 1/2 day +- for a medical-family emergency but APPEARS to be far enough from the border to avoid the Narco Wars...Maybe? Hire a guard to travel with, Well maybe, but who is gonna police the guard.

So many questions and so few answers but so many attempts to answer. I am more confused than ever.

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by xxuxx

So Aquarian....you couldn't lend a hand to help these people??? Do you have any idea of what they have gone through to come here or are you going to take the route of saying they have no visa, hence they are breaking the law? Do you have have any F'ing...idea of what they went through to get here??? Or that they were denied a visa after paying half of their salary just for the right to apply for one? Your ignorance of humanity is not alone....many cruisers and US citizens have no idea of what it is like to live in poverty.. You can visit thier country, but they cannot visit yours? Is that fair? All they want is to care for their family.
Wake up and open your eyes to life in central America!!! You want to sail there, why not help those you visit.?

Be careful where you throw the word ignorant. It tends to come back at you. I have relatives who have been deported and others who have nearly died on illegal passages into this country. I have helped support those remaining in Mexico for more than 20 years. Can you say the same? You might want to re-read both the original question posted and my reply. You will find that your take on the situation is way off base. We are talking about the safety of lone sailors not your political agenda.

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

What is it with you people?
Are you so preoccupied with your own pet issue that you miss what people are actually saying, and react to where you've decided they're coming from?

I don't need to defend Aquarian, he sounds smart enough to cope with that and then some...
What I find amazing is that a story of his experience, with plenty of good things to say about Mexico and Mexicans, has met with such aggression, vitriol even.

Truth is we get the same dumb, ill thought out reactions over here with regard to boat people/assylum seekers...

xxuxx... it's not a question of being heartless, it's a question keeping control of your borders and law and order. One country can't fix all the problems of another country, and it's f#!*k-witted to think you can. Your reasoning says throw the borders open and bugger the consequences..
It's my guess you're either down there as an aid worker, laudable, but unlikely because aid workers seldom have time for boats... or you're so far away from it that the dailiness of the problem doesn't touch you.... damn easy to be selfrighteous from a distance...

I've re-read Aquarian's post and I can't for the life of me see what's got these reactions...

Thanks. It is refressing to hear a level head. And your take on the situation is right on the money.

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by John A

So, if I read this right, you went somewhere and had a negitive experience of such importance that it upset you.
Then, the next year you went back, and sure enough, it happened again.

No. I went somewhere and saw illegal activity that I overlooked (right or wrong) until my boat was involved. At that point I realized that this wasn't a harmless situation. Combine that with the events on the other side of the Gulf and the posted question and there may be reason for concern. For instance: you and your boat are moored . . . anywhere far from home in foreign coutry. Your boat disappears with your ID, passport, money . . . . Would you have wanted to know that there was something suspicious going on before you left your boat unattended? Do you you lock your car, your house - Why?

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by rover88

I can't speak to visitng on a boat, but have driven the length and breath of Mexico on three seperate occasions. I loved it and hated it at the same time. It's a gorgious country and most folks are very friendly. Even the scores of corrupt cops, which one encounters daily along the roads, are pleasant and not overly greedy.

You are obviously conversent with Mexico's firearm's regulations. Only criminals have guns in Mexico and many of those criminals wear government uniforms. Do not be caught in Mexico with a gun!

Violence aside, I will give Mexico a miss for the forseeable future. The pervasive culture of corruption is enough reason to bypass Mexico for more friendly and accomodating climes.

Shame, for despite the negatives I really did enjoy the place.

You know the Mexico I know. Currently, I would go to Mexico to visit family, but I would not make plans to wander into an unfamilar port - especially in the northern areas.

[John A]

Originally Posted by aquarian

You know the Mexico I know. Currently, I would go to Mexico to visit family, but I would not make plans to wander into an unfamilar port - especially in the northern areas.

I was only curious as to why you returned to an area you had a negitive experiense with.

Over the course of several years I've had my car broken into twice, I've had two different cars stolen from me, one was stripped. I've had my credit card number stolen once, I've had my identitiy stolen twice. once for $45k. All in the US. (SF Bay area)

I spent 18 months sailing single handed from San Diago to Panama and I think I anchored out at every bay, harbor and inlet between the two. I never had any problems, or was I ever worried.

Others experiences may vary, Sh** happens.

But if I continue to stress out about what might happen, then I'll miss out on a whole bunch of really fun stuff.

[aquarian]

Q: "I was only curious as to why you returned to an area you had a negitive experiense with."

A: Because I had several great experiences prior, and I had reported it a full year before returning. A small state park should not be difficult for our government to control. Apparently they had better things to do.

Your are right Sh** happens, but it happens less if you have less Sh**. I try not to have to much.

I described the incident because to my understanding the post was concerning the Gulf coast of Mexico in relation to the current violence. As much as I am fond of Mexico and its people. I personally would be careful right now. Example: You can find a dozen hurricane parties every time one arrives. When the hurricane leaves, you find half of the partiers dead. Going to the party is not a wise choice. Next week the Hurricane will be gone. Then go party. Your coast may be an entirely different story. I've never been there and couldn't judge

[sabray]

not sure how you posted it but Ill try If Im ass kicked again ohh well
Eight killed in bar firebombing in Cancun, Mexico: owner reportedly refused to pay extortionists

[aquarian]

Originally Posted by Mule

OK, I get it to some degree. You can go to Mexico, but do not bring your defensive shotgun. 10% of the population will be armed spread =ally between government and non government locals. 90% of the armed ones are gangsters both in uniform and civilian.

It is far more dangerous near the border of the US than ALMOST anywhere in the world but your chances are pretty good of not being molested if you are away from the border. Do not show any vestages of wealth on the streets...Leave the Rolex on the boat and hidden.

La Pesca is on the east coast about 150+- from Brownsville and I was/am considering spend a lot of time there in retirement. Nice river system, Jetty with deep water channels and from Google Earth looks like a pretty good hurricane hole. The big BUT is whether or not that is a Narco shipping point for sea transport of drugs to the USA thereby bring in the gangster dangers to me, old blue eyes?

La Pesca is close enough to the USA to get there in about 1/2 day +- for a medical-family emergency but APPEARS to be far enough from the border to avoid the Narco Wars...Maybe? Hire a guard to travel with, Well maybe, but who is gonna police the guard.

So many questions and so few answers but so many attempts to answer. I am more confused than ever.

Here is what you need - indirectly. The last post on the site below is from someone who has family in La Pesca. They will know if the border issues are affecting the area. As far as sailing to there (less than 1 day) the US Coast Guard should be able to enlighten via phone call.

My first trip to Mexico - driving to La Pesca..

[capn_billl]

This thread thread has gotten ugly. At the risk of adding more gas to the fire. Xxuxx you are talking to people that have "been there and done that". I fully sympathise with the people of Mexico, but I know several ranchers that have been run off of their own property, and even had family members killed by illegals. We can't solve another countries problems. And important our help is likely to make things even worse. Thugs stay in power with the consent, (implicit or explicit), of the people of that country. Take Cuba for example. Castro drove out anyone except those who benefit or thought they would benefit from a commmunist regime. The people most likely to change their country back to freedom, ... left! I see the same thing happening in Mexico. The best and brightest, the people with the most drive, (and assorted criminals and bottom feeders), have migrated to the US, or feed the violence at the border. Allowing that mess free use, (abuse), of the US system helps no one. And most of all does nothing to help the people of Mexico solve their problems. It only make the status quo "tolorable", and thus unlikely to change.