Mexico Travel Warnings: Controversy on the Hoof

Over a month ago we discussed warnings from US government officials about the inadvisability of Mexico travel. Has the situation changed since then? It depends on how you listen to.

In Arizona, military officials have taken a stand with soldiers posted at Fort Huachuca. "The nearly 7,000 troops based at the southern Arizona post now must receive permission from a top commander before traveling to Mexico, base officials said. An additional 11,000 or so family members, civilian staffers and contractors at the fort are 'strongly urged' not to visit Mexican cities such as Naco, Agua Prieta and Nogales, a popular shopping, dining and nightlife destination," this from the Arizona Republic.

Granted, the Sonora state has seen its share of bloodletting, and out on the coast, even Tijuana has had reports of machine gun fire and tossed hand-grenades in public places by day. But not everyone is turning a thumbs-down on Mexico travel. The same story from the Republic makes this citation: "Epifanio Salido Pavlovich, the director of the Sonora Office of Tourism, called the Army action worrisome and took exception to the notion that tourists are in danger. The killings are occurring between drug cartels and law enforcement, he said.

"Not one single tourist has had problems in the state of Sonora," Pavlovich said. "And we are going to great efforts to make sure no one is affected." While Sonoran officials may give those assuring reports, it isn't all rosy on the frontier. This spring, four Americans were found executed, reportedly "drug cartel style," in Rosarita, a little seaside village just south of Tijuana.

Two frontier towns which have not been so-far affected by violence are in the Snowbird track: San Luis, Rio Colorado state, just south of Yuma, Arizona, and Los Algonones, BC, just to the west of San Luis. While neither could be dubbed a "resort destination," they are still good places for dental work, low cost prescription drugs, and genuine south-of-the-border meals.

photo: US Embassy, Mexico