27 Americans kidnapped, 2 killed - in Mexico

kat1 (Moderator) says on Jan 28, 2005, 10:29:

remember cria fama y acuestate a dormir

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madman says on Jan 28, 2005, 11:02:

Isn't that much higher then Americans kidnapped in Colombia? How many Americans have been kidnapped in Colombia in the past year?

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kernow62 says on Jan 28, 2005, 12:26:

I often see the fact that people are poor being used an excuse for crime. If this is indeed a fact rather than an easy excuse, why aren't cities in India so dangerous?

Coming from a poor background in the US is also often used to justify a life of crime. It must also relate to the culture and the values one places on human life and the property of others.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 28, 2005, 12:31:

Total Kidnappings I've been told privately that the gross number of kidnappings in Mexico has exceeded that of Colombia recently. I don't mean just kidnappings of Americans but ALL kidnappings.

The high number of Americans there Vs. Colombia doesn't surprise me at all. More Americans probably go into Tijuana on a given weekend than have visited Colombia in the last 5 years.

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smiles92600 says on Jan 28, 2005, 13:01:

Less Likely in Mexico One thing to consider, 99% of the kidnappings in Mexico have occured in Mexico City or the boarder towns. Traveling in tbe interior of Mexico is very safe. Can you say the same about Colombia?

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ColombianoX says on Jan 28, 2005, 13:13:

"Traveling in tbe interior of Mexico is very safe. Can you say the same about Colombia?

Yes, the same can be said about Colombia! The coffee region is one of the safest places in Colombia.


"I've been told privately that the gross number of kidnappings in Mexico has exceeded that of Colombia recently. I don't mean just kidnappings of Americans but ALL kidnappings. "

Hey, that's good news, kidnappings are decreasing in Colombia!


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Albatross says on Jan 28, 2005, 13:17:

Yes, but... All of the statistics in the world become meaningless the instant YOUR number is up...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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Lionheart says on Jan 28, 2005, 13:23:

Cities in India India is supposed to be very dangerous in major cities. When I have time I will dig up some facts. Extortion and kidnapping are common, just as killing is. I haven't looked into the rural areas much, but my parents have traveled there and told me some gruesome stories. But it seems the crimes are more between Indians themselves, because of the castes?

I was offered to continue my job in India after a mass-layoff in the USA ... most of the Indian software developers had to move back to the offices there as their H-1 visas automatically expired then. After talking to many of them I declined the offer to live in a rich ghetto with body guards and severe restrictions. The conditions were described much worse than anything I have heard about Colombian cities. This is all 2nd hand information, I recall others in PBH have been there in person.

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eafit2005 says on Jan 28, 2005, 13:58:

Mexico City Crime "One thing to consider, 99% of the kidnappings in Mexico have occured in Mexico City or the boarder towns" -- That surprises me...I've lived for six month in Mexico City & have been all over the place except for barrios like e.g. Tepico. By using common sense I always felt pretty save, except for one or two stupid situations which I could have avoided as well by being more carefull. I think as a foreigner in Mexico D.F. you really have to do something stupid like accepting an open drink from a stranger in order to get kidnapped. Anyways, I`ll move to Medellín for a year in one week, so within some month I should be able to give a sound comparison of the two places!

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kernow62 says on Jan 28, 2005, 14:13:

Lionheart, I agree crime is increasing, but it isn't like you are portraying. Kidnappings are not by poor people, they are by greedy people and often gangs. I have family in India and they personally feel safer than in Colombia, they are Colombian. I suppose it is all relative and where one lives and what wealth one has will largely dictate how much of a target one is. I suppose we better leave this topic for the PBH India forum and listers who have lived there.

As far as statisitics go, how's this. There are more students of English in China than there are English speakers in the US.

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vladimiro says on Jan 28, 2005, 15:30:

Mexico Not sure if this was mentioned above, but another thing to consider is that there are 1 million Americans living in Mexico. During the recent economic downturn many Americans with relocatable skills, like software developers, sold their homes in US and moved to Mexico...The India section of PBH has a topic about crime; its sounds safer there than other countries.

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Lionheart says on Jan 28, 2005, 15:45:

sounds familiar Just as Colombians tend to be over-protective and warn about moving to Colombia, it seems Indians did the same for me concerning India. I will have to look into this.

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 28, 2005, 15:55:

Cold, Snowed in and windy Chicago I feel safer here. It too cold here for anyone to wait to kidnapp me.
Besides I'm broke this weekend

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Sam Salmon says on Jan 28, 2005, 17:32:

Mexican kidnappings have lot in common with Colombian ones in that they are overwhelmingly perpetrated on wealthy middle class individuals who have been targeted.
In both countries random snatching of innocents off street corners is rare.
Mexican police are notoriously corrupt-much more openly than many places I could name.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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miamimike says on Jan 28, 2005, 17:34:

Kidnappings occurred in Border areas in Mexico Most of those kidnapped were along the border areas but areas like Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana have been dangerous for decades. In Guadalajara-there are approximately 50,000 to 70,000 Northamericans(depending on whose poll it is) retired in the greater Guadalajara area of Jalisco. If these Retirees were in such great danger they simply would not be staying there.For whatever faults northamericans have-above all they are survivors.

At least 27 Americans have been kidnapped in past 6 months
Friday, January 28, 2005 Posted: 2:06 AM EST (0706 GMT)



People cross from the U.S. into Mexico at the Paso del Norte border crossing in Juarez, Mexico.


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- At least 27 Americans have been abducted along the border with Mexico in the past six months because of increased violence among drug traffickers, prompting the U.S. State Department to issue a warning to travelers.

Of the 27, two were killed, 14 were released and 11 remain missing, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Thursday.

The abductions do not include "express" kidnappings in which Americans are forced to withdraw large sums of money from ATMs before they are released, Boucher said.

Boucher said he understood the Mexican government may not be happy with the travel warning, but "we do feel that it's important to tell Americans about the security situation near the border."

"We have worked closely with Mexican authorities to take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety and the security of U.S. citizens in Mexico," Boucher said.

"And in situations where Americans are victims of crime, we do follow those cases very closely as the Mexican authorities try to arrest and prosecute those who are responsible."

Boucher emphasized that "a vast majority" of Mexicans and Americans crossing the border do so "without any mishaps or difficulties."

In its public announcement released Wednesday, the State Department said "violent criminal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border has increased as a product of a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade along the border."

An underpaid and under-trained police force in Mexico and a weak judicial system add to the problems, according to the warning.

"Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished," according to the statement.

"In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or partial police uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating some elements of the police might be involved."

The travel warning, which expires April 25, calls on Americans to avoid areas where illicit activity occurs, "visiting only legitimate business and tourism areas of border towns during daylight hours."



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ColombiaBoard says on Jan 28, 2005, 18:10:

Conclusions After reading all these posting I just want to say:

Shit happens...everywhere

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Gomezman5 says on Jan 28, 2005, 18:11:

All of Jalisco is very safe Guadalajara, Tlaqupaque, area near lago de Chapala, and zapopan are very safe.....There are so many Americans there

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miamimike says on Jan 28, 2005, 19:13:

Retirement Mecca Northamericans love that area--still retiring there by the droves.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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