The bi-annual re-release of the US travel warning for Mexico has the internet stirred up again.
They release this every year about this time (to deter spring breakers) and then again in late summer to deter the snowbirds.
The following is a story by Jim Foreman explaining these actions taken by the U.S. Department of State.
Some time ago a group of friends decided to enjoy Chinese Food together. At the end of the meal as the check arrives, the most outspoken and perhaps the most attractive friend grabbed her fortune cookie and stood up.
She pronounced that everyone had to add the words ‘in bed’ after every fortune. One by one, we all read aloud our fortunes with the additional fun words.
Today it seems that every time one looks to book or plan a trip to Mexico, some news report comes out about the US State Department issuing a travel warning to some part of Mexico.
The cheeky nerve… Who are these people at the State Department and have any of them even traveled to Mexico?
As of this writing, many popular destinations, just ahead of high travel season, are on the US State Department Travel Warning page for Mexico. One should actually read it rather than rely on others to tell them what to think.
Go ahead and click on the link. The first thing one notices is that these warnings nearly always specify US Personnel. This means US Government employees. In particular, the warnings mostly refer to US Embassy and Consulate employees and Anti-Drug officials.
One must chuckle at the line, “U.S. government personnel are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit.” It’s seemingly okay for US Government personnel to patronize ‘Adult Clubs’ (legal brothels) in other states of Mexico.
The second, more important, line to take from all of this is, “There is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality.”
For many readers and travelers to Mexico, this is all common sense, but for those addicted to the fear and anger mongers, also known as the news media, this will all add to the ignorant indignation.
Foolish ‘American Traveler’ naiveté causes many to take regrettable and ridiculous actions at home and while traveling. Then these same folks dare to complain when something does go wrong and blame everyone else for their complete lack of common sense or reason.
Let’s make this perfectly clear. Follow these simple guidelines and enjoy the amazing Mexican culture.
- Don’t travel at night. Be off the road before dusk. Don’t mess with this one.
- Don’t wear shirts with a large ‘DEA’ printed on them. One might as well print ‘Rich Child Rapist’ on a shirt and walk about town.
- Don’t get gas or visit an ATM at night. Do you do this at home?
- Don’t be a loud, obnoxious, overly complaining boor. Ever! Whether traveling or not.
Seriously, do keep abreast of the forever changing situation in Mexico. Talk to people who have recently (within the last 3-4 months) been there. Get their perspective. Don’t rely on people who have never been or only have anecdotal stories about their brother’s friend who, for no reason wound up in a Mexican jail.
Avoid sensational or out of date info from the news media, TV shows, movies, pulp thrillers and especially Facebook and what passes for news on the internet. Remember, the ‘News’ is not there to inform you. It’s sole purpose is to keep you angry and afraid. Watch 20 minutes of any newscast and then see how you’re feeling. When one is angry and afraid, one can be manipulated into believing or doing anything, no matter how abhorrant.
Lastly, keep in mind, that when an American or Canadian Citizen is killed, 9.8 times out of 10, they were directly involved in the illicit drug trade. Yes, they were part of the machine supplying our college students, TV producers, news media personalities, US Government officials, ego-driven stock brokers, politicians, and other consumers with excellent grade cocaine, heroin, and all their other derivatives.
Mexico is a warm and wonderful place to visit offering some of the best beaches, weather, culture, and hospitality anywhere in the world. More than 15 Million people visit Mexico each year with nothing but sunburn and great stories. Few places in the world offer all the benefits that Mexico does.
Source: https://mexicaninsurancestore.com/
