Mex 200 Michoacan Coast Update

[MEXICOWANDERER]

There are currently SEVEN puestos de controles de rurales (they have official government sanction) and three new 24/7 PdC de marinas de la armada points. Stretching from Cerro de Ortega, to the bridge over the Rio Balsas. TEN CHECKPOINTS. Groups of 100 Self Defense members are combing the mountains, burning marijuana crops, destroying houses, watering systems and flushing out Los Caballeros Templarios.

The rurales are extremely polite. They are looking for sicarios. The Marinas are more thorough, they are looking for stupid people carrying firearms. Waved through the rurales PdC, open the trunk at militar PdC.

An American friend of Mexican descent said both types of retenes demanded to see his car papers, FMM and photo ID. Obviously looking for stolen cars.

Just thought you'd like to know.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

The two words NEWS and RECOMMENDATION do not have quite the same definition.

You have to remember, news reporters in Mexico live under an umbrella or FEAR and INTIMIDATION. The most accurate source of news is onsite residents not reporters who got their facts from other reporters, who got it direct from a housecleaning lady in Houston who has a sister in law in Morelia.

The GOVERNMENT is interested in one thing - nailing a plank across their butt. At the expense of anything and everything else. Actually seeing and talking to Rurales and their unregistered Autodefensas partners is the most accurate source of facts. Not the leaders! Leaders of these two groups have their own agendas.

[Tequila]

I still plan to install an anti-hijack device in my truck along with the spot trace. Common sense, not paranoia.

[Tequila]

Still best to travel that coast in groups I think.

[moisheh]

I would not deem Michoacán super safe just yet. It is hard to get current news but a website called The Real News has some interesting videos explaining a very confusing story. Hard to tell who wears the white hats. One can do some Googling on this subject and much of he news comes from Overseas. The Christian Science Monitor also has some info.

Moisheh

[John___Angela]

Great news. Thanks for the update.

[robatthelake]

Good news I Think it's about time that part of the Coast is getting normalized! Looking forward to travelling it again!