Question for Mexican Trucker

The answer is no!You should look for my other posts and they will give you a good idea of what to expect. Kidnapping and murder is so bad that they are considering bring the death penalty! This is a big deal here! The Cartels run the country.

 

And there are so many murders here we've had the death penalty for years . How many articles have you read in the past week about truckers being shot ?

 

Sir, I stay in Mexico. There is a huge difference between what gose on in the U.S. and what gose on down here. The Cartels Run the country. The cartels own the police, the politicians and most of the Army.

The man asked a question and I answered it based on what I know from being here! As a matter of fact, as the U.S get more involved in the war with the Cartels Americans will become even bigger targets.

The reason the death penaly is a big thing here is that this is a Catholic country. The white portion of the Mexican represents the "purity"of the church. The death penalty is fobbiden here. For them to change their Constitution to allow the death penalty is a major shift in attitude and policy.

I would encourage you to look up my other comments on this matter. The danger is highjacking and kidknapping . Which is exploding down here. If these guys down here think they will get money for the driver from his company they will highjack the load and kidknap the driver. If they don't get money Well... They don't have to shoot a mexican driver because they will just pay him off for the load. They know he is too poor to kidknap for ransom and his family has no money to pay. This is the reality in Mexico.

 

I like the way you try to use a Bible quote to be a smart. Hey if you think it is so great down here. Get on with a conpany the drives down here (without security) and bring your hind end on down!

 

I asked a question and you didn't answer it . How many drivers were shot or robbed in the U.S. in a week ? How many trucks are stolen here ? How many convenience store clerks are robbed and shot ? How many children are robbed and abused . If it's so bad there why do you stay there ?
http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/13/thieves-hijack-truck-carrying-rock-band-steal-1-000-boxes/
http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvcrime/2009/03/bizarre-big-rig-hijacking-on-t.html
http://www.diamondintelligence.com/magazine/magazine.aspx?id=7371

 

I stay here because my wife has her family here. When I go to work I'm gone for 2 weeks to a month. So I'm not down here every day. But I have been here for years. The news here is not reported accurateyl. If 10 people are reported killed you can be assured it was 20! I have friends in the news business. Calderon wants to make it look like he's winning this war with the Cartels.

I don't have too much problems. Most everyone knows me or knows of me. I have many friends here. When I have the money I give the local guys all the work I can fixing the house and doing odd jobs. I pay better than the factories. The Cartels know'I'm here and they know I am not a threat. If they thought for a moment any different I would be dead already.

You can pullout all the statistics you want... I LIVE HERE! I know first hand what's going on.

 

It is as safe as you want to make it.

I've lived here 15 years and encountered exactly zero problems of any type.

American media hypes the situation for whatever reason. Sure, there's violence here, but if you expect to cross the border and immediately be dodging bullets, you'd be disappointed.

I continue to drive my personal vehicle weekly from Laredo to Monterrey where I live and encounter no problems other than various military and Federal checkpoints, which really are not a problem.

I flew into Juarez from Monterrey a couple of months ago, stayed the weekend in that city, rented a car and drove around without limitations or hassles.

You go over there, show respect, you'll get it in return. You go looking for trouble, try to be a player or get involved in the trade, they'll chew you up and spit you out without a second thought.

While the cartels control certain areas, Calderon has them on the run. And like organized crime in this country, they'll never be defeated. Look at it this way. What's happening in Mexico at the moment, is no different than the Capone era in Chicago, the Mafia wars of the 50's and 60's in New York or the Cocaine cowboys from Miami in the 70's. It's a different era, a different culture but really, no different than the past.

You hear of American's being kidnapped and killed. You aren't given the "rest of the story". Many of these "Americans" are actually Mexican-Americans who have been lured into Mexico and held because of a drug or other debt owed by a family member in Mexico to the cartel. Or, they went over looking to become involved in something they had no business in.

A good example. When the cartel wars made the news, in 2007 I believe and what I believe to be the beginning of the current problems, there was a battle, no other way to describe it, in Nuevo Laredo. At the intersection of Ave Colon y Reforma. Local police tried to stop a couple of Suburbans being escorted out of town. To make a long story short, after a 4 hour gun battle on a major roadway in that city, involving Federal, State, Local police and the military, a Federal Prosecutor was in custody and the two bad guys he was escorting out of the city were dead. The two fatalities, Mexican American's from the US.

 

I have to second that. I've never had any real problems in Mexico. An occasional run in with the local drunk maybe, or the resident street urchin.

No more so than here in the US. But I still ain't taking my truck.

While on foot, or in a car. I have the opportunity to mingle and associate with the locals. I know many of the hot spots to avoid. And I've always been treated well. And my Spanish is at best, pre-school.

But there is always the chance encounter, where you're just another gringo. And being in my truck, just passing through, raises the possibilities of being mistaken for "just" another gringo.

I am also aware of the problems that are taking place in some of the major drug corridors. But I do not associate any of this, with the locals.

 

In Mexico, violence is ALWAYS possible. Theft of commercial vehicles by the police and bandits occurs ROUTINELY. Guns you say? Forget that, possession of ANY gun in Mexico is automatic prison time. The justice system in Mexico is corrupt as the day is long. Innocence depends on how much you can pay! Roads are NON-EXISTENT. Mostly dirt that washes out down south. Then there's the totally corrupt highway police. If you don't speak Spanish YOU ARE SCREWED. This is the THIRD WORLD people. You HAVE NO RIGHTS IN MEXICO! You need to realize that there is NO protection once you cross that border, you are a target.

Oh yeah, you and your vehicle can and will searched at any time for any reason the cops feel like. In Mexico, the federales are GOD, and there is no such thing as refusing. Bring lots of "mordida" (AKA BRIBE MONEY) you will need it. Speed limits are in kilometers, exceed 21mph in ANY town and you will be paying big fines to anyone. Oh and by the way, the phones don't work and your cell isn't compatible either.

If you think Mexico is ANY picnic you are sadly mistaken. Mexico is full of stolen American cars and trucks. Have fun !