More Mexican Drug Cartel Murders in the News... Anyone Worried?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I’m new to the DIS Boards so maybe I shouldn’t be commenting on such a hot topic until I’ve been here a bit longer, but I feel compelled. I handle Kidnap & Ransom insurance for a large insurance company, and I can tell you that the majority of kidnappings of Americans for ransom (and extortion) take place in Mexico. For tourists, there has been a huge increase in what’s called express kidnapping or a millionaire tour, when a victim is held for a few days and forced to take the max limit out at ATM machines essential paying their own ransom. We’re also seeing an increase in virtual kidnapping, but that’s more for tourists staying in hotels, not on cruise ships. Having said all that, the chances of something happening to you are still relatively low especially if you stay in the popular tourist areas, but you are at a greater risk in Mexico, which is why I picked the Eastern route for my family’s cruise! Now watch me get kidnapped on St. Thomas!
Hopefully you don't get murdered in St. Thomas either!

http://viconsortium.com/featured/man-gunned-down-in-st-thomas-as-violence-escalates-in-usvi/

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.c...cle_01bbba21-855e-5669-9ba7-cd84dc0ee9ce.html
 
You are right about that. That was going to be my next question. What excursions are recommended for these ports, based upon the ongoing issues?

I think in a way they all are given they are hosted by Disney who has fully vetted them. We did a dolphin excursion in Los Cabos (they just walk you to the center that is very close - we wandered further than that before and after on our own and it was fine thought there are pushy vendors along the way), took the trolley tour in Mazatlan and did the Hideaway on Puerto Vallarta. All were great and I felt safe, though as I mentioned earlier it was a little nerve wracking seeing all the cops with big guns at the gas stations. Apparently they had many robberies so they stationed jeeps there with big machine guns to deter them and 'make the tourists feel safe'. They smiled and waved to us - it was a little surreal. Before this fully freaks anyone out MANY countries arm their police more like military. Huge guns in the stations in Europe when we have gone also - most recently this last June. I just regret not telling the tour guides that seeing heavy presence does NOT always make us feel safer... as an FYI. ;)

View attachment 294011 Every day I go to work in my inner city school, I put myself at risk. But when I spend a boatload of money for a vacation, I would prefer to avoid risky areas. I would like to have fun and relax. I’m funny that way.

That seems fair and I think this is what it boils down to. Some people can't relax in the face of different things, and some can. If you can't, its really no fun.

Where is it you plan on vacationing, so I can do a quick google search? :)

Lets not go tit for tat on each other... stick to OP & Mexico please.
 
I am just finishing up a week at my company's facility in Cuernavaca (about 50 miles south of Mexico City), and I have felt completely safe the entire time. The people I've met are warm, friendly, and welcoming. Not saying you shouldn't use common sense and keep a sense of vulnerability and awareness...but the idea that the people are just waiting to swallow up gringos down here is absurd. Be friendly, show respect, and 999,999 times out of a million you'll be just fine.
I don't think anybody is saying the Mexican people aren't warm and friendly. There are people that will take advantage of tourists and their law enforcement system is nothing like ours. Generally being at a corporations facility or a nice resort you are going to be fine.
 


That doesn't make people's concerns any less valid. Most of us do things everyday to make things safer for ourselves and our families. We don't just leave every thing up to chance.
I'm not trying to argue with you, but I hardly think taking a vacation to Mexico is leaving "every thing up to chance". Mexico gets millions of tourists each year and the vast majority of them have wonderful experiences. Someone earlier commented about police in Mexico. Well, there are plenty of innocent people in the United States that have been shot and killed by trigger-happy American police officers. So, I guess we're not perfect either.

MUN
 


I'm not trying to argue with you, but I hardly think taking a vacation to Mexico is leaving "every thing up to chance". Mexico gets millions of tourists each year and the vast majority of them have wonderful experiences. Someone earlier commented about police in Mexico. Well, there are plenty of innocent people in the United States that have been shot and killed by trigger-happy American police officers. So, I guess we're not perfect either.

MUN
Comparing police in the US to police in Mexico is really a slap in the face to our officers who put themselves on the line for our safety. I never said a Mexican vacation is leaving everything up to chance. Im pretty sure you knew what my point was. If you feel comfortable vacationing in Mexico then by all means do it. You don't need to belittle other people for having concerns sbout it.
 
Comparing police in the US to police in Mexico is really a slap in the face to our officers who put themselves on the line for our safety. I never said a Mexican vacation is leaving everything up to chance. Im pretty sure you knew what my point was. If you feel comfortable vacationing in Mexico then by all means do it. You don't need to belittle other people for having concerns sbout it.
Thank you.
 
My thought exactly. When you consider the number of police officers killed in the line of duty every year. That was more then a little disrespectful.
So it's ok to disrespect Mexican police officers, but how dare someone point out that there are plenty of bad cops in America as well.
 
So it's ok to disrespect Mexican police officers, but how dare someone point out that there are plenty of bad cops in America as well.
Wow. Unbelievable.
I've only brought up Mexican police operate Differently then we're used to so be prepared for anything. Such as threatening to send a 75 year old women to jail for not wearing a seat belt if she doesn't pay up.
Your hate for American police officers seems to be coming from somewhere else that's not remotely related to Mexico. I'll just leave is at that.
 
Last edited:
it was a little nerve wracking seeing all the cops with big guns at the gas stations
- I would rather the cops have guns than the bad guys, I guess. :confused3

Lets not go tit for tat on each other... stick to OP & Mexico please.
:thumbsup2

I don't think anybody is saying the Mexican people aren't warm and friendly. There are people that will take advantage of tourists and their law enforcement system is nothing like ours. Generally being at a corporations facility or a nice resort you are going to be fine.
:thumbsup2

Comparing police in the US to police in Mexico is really a slap in the face to our officers who put themselves on the line for our safety. I never said a Mexican vacation is leaving everything up to chance. Im pretty sure you knew what my point was. If you feel comfortable vacationing in Mexico then by all means do it. You don't need to belittle other people for having concerns sbout it.
:thanks:

:sad1::sad2::earseek:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!








Top