Mexico's Highway Of Death

[qtla9111]

Numbers vary, but families and business owners say the real numbers are over 150. People working in Laredo from Monterrey/Saltillo or people simply driving back and forth have disappeared into thin air. Cellphones go dead, cars disappear and police, local, federal and national guard don't seem to be doing much of anything. The president refuses to address the issue.

The area is exact, between km21 and the border bridges in Laredo. Apart from this, extortions and carjackings continue. I know some people will say it hasn't happen to them, well, good luck.

Number Of Missing On Mexico's Highway Of Death Rise To 71

[moisheh]

THank you Chris:
Readers of this forum should realize that this is not your father's Mexico. Mexico has changed. After Salinas and NAFTA the country changed for the Good. More jobs, better roads and a new middle class. But with all of that it did not take long for the Cartels to grow into huge corporations. Lots of crime. But the Cartels never really bothered tourists of any kind. I suppose that was petty crime and they are looking for millions of $ not a wallet with $100. But over the years petty crime grew. Lots of wanabbees. Car Jacking and kidnapping has become common. Robbery with violence as well. So all the posters who always come on and say something like" Crime is everywhere. Even in the USA you can be robbed". That statement no longer carries any weight. With the new President who thinks hugs are better than bullets Mexico is not a safe place. Sure you can go to Penasco or San Carlos , even Baja with no problems. But going past Guaymas past on 15 is certainly not recommended. Guerrero is terrible. Michoacan too. When Chris tells you that an area in the East is bad, believe him. Hard to find anything bad that has happened to RV'rs as there are almost zero RV travellers since the pandemic began.

[playaboy]

Generally, I prefer crossing at Anzalduas. Laredo is a sh-thole. Mcallen has better shopping, restaurants, and the like (if the businesses survived the covid restrictions). The autopista from Monterrey to Reynosa is usually deserted. Same thing driving to anywhere near the border. Traffic is extremely light. That makes my the hair stand up on the back of my neck those last 2 hours driving. I look behind me as much as I look in front of me.

Especially now that the border has become VERY porous. Lots of drugs and people crossing north, money and guns crossing south. That means the mafia have ramped up operations all along the border, on both sides of the line.

I pay attention to the news sources and locals then avoid known hot spots.

Every route is safe until you find yourself in an unsafe situation.

[charlestonsouth]

Noticed in Chris' link that the FBI in San Antonio has gotten involved since a family of American citizens has disappeared after a visit to relatives. Hope they are actively pursuing this instead of just putting out bulletins.

[qtla9111]

playaboy wrote:
I agree with Chris. In fact it is probably worse than he is stating.

I cross back and forth across the border frequently. Over a dozen times this year alone.

There have been problems in Nuevo Laredo and at the Colombia crossing for the last year or so. These kidnappings have been taken place within kilometers of the government checkpoints on Hwy 85. The Guardia Nacional, Policia Estado, transitos and the cartels are all the same in that area. They are working together. There is NO law and order.

Anybody else posting cross frequently? Not over the years but in the last 6 months or so.

The area doesn't pass my smell test. I have avoided taking that route for the last year and will drive extra miles to do so.

´
It's been a long time since we have been to the U.S. What about Reynosa?

Unless we are going to travel in the U.S. such as West Texas or San Antonio, we would most likely go via Reynosa for shopping or South Padre Island.

We are also considering the Colombia Hwy from Monterrey which dead heads at the bridge. There is no detour from the highway which I believe is the problem heading up Hwy85 and then heading west to Colombia. So via Hwy 1, all that can be avoided.

[playaboy]

I agree with Chris. In fact it is probably worse than he is stating.

I cross back and forth across the border frequently. Over a dozen times this year alone.

There have been problems in Nuevo Laredo and at the Colombia crossing for the last year or so. These kidnappings have been taken place within kilometers of the government checkpoints on Hwy 85. The Guardia Nacional, Policia Estado, transitos and the cartels are all the same in that area. They are working together. There is NO law and order.

Anybody else posting cross frequently? Not over the years but in the last 6 months or so.

The area doesn't pass my smell test. I have avoided taking that route for the last year and will drive extra miles to do so.

[Mike134]

Sounds like a road to stay off of just like I stay out of the west side of Chicago. To those that choose to travel it good luck.

[qtla9111]

Talleyho69 wrote:
What does this have to do with RVing in Mexico and South America?

Just about everything considering that Laredo is a major crossing point for rvers on the east side of the country. Not to mention that some of those people who have disappeared are Americans.

We know of rvers who have been pulled over by cartel members outside of Nuevo Laredo and forced to pay $325 or more.

So the impact is important and people need to be careful. Remember, abrazos no balazos.

[Wm_Elliot]

This route is the route we always use starting in 1997. We have traversed this route at least two dozen times. For many of those years we would cross in the wee hours to avoid long lines at the border. We never had any issue nor did I sense or imagine any danger.
Sure, bad things happen everywhere. Mexico has never been said to be a safe country to tour in. Many American cities now are places I would never feel safe visiting either.
There is a theme with posts like this whether it's Covid, Mexico's president, or crime travelers are advised to stay home - it's very dangerous. Point made, again. We get it.
Our first time RVing in Mexico we were warned in San Antonio that our child would very likely be kidnapped, her organs harvested and sold. We were told to never drive at night, that Sinaloa was too dangerous. All of these warnings of course never came true.
Maybe that's what I like most about Mexico - the frightened people don't go.

[NamMedevac_70]

I have only seen this mentioned on one major news network. Many of the victims and disappeared are locals and U.S. citizens visiting relatives or on personal business so I read.

[Talleyho69]

What does this have to do with RVing in Mexico and South America?

[gbopp]

Thanks for posting. Wow, that's scary.

[wanderingaimles]

If tourist keep coming, and the locals don't raise a stink about it, why would the Federale's care?
When it starts costing them tourist dollars and trade, then maybe they will address it.