Hi Paul,
OK you're paranoid.
All kidding aside I thank you for your response and taking time to post the State Dept's travel warning. I've read it before and I agree with them, there is a certain amount of risk when traveling in or through Mexico but as their warning states "There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship." They're really forced to include that as it's highly factual and to not do so would be outright deceitful.
It's interesting to note the fatality rate of US citizens in Mexico is actually about half that of those living in the US. It's a per-capita statistic but true nonetheless. OTOH if you really want to live dangerously take a ride through Detroit, America's most dangerous city...go for your ride on a Friday night, say around midnight. Sorry but I recently did some reading on the most dangerous cities in the world - you can Google it - and our own Detroit ranks as number five IN THE WORLD! Good grief, where do we go from here?
For a really in-depth and on-going report of what's happening in Mexico, particularly with respect to bikers I recommend reading the "Is Mexico Safe" thread in ADVriders site. There you will see all sides of the issue commented on by a lot of people, many of whom are very expert and others who's experience is limited to reading sensationalist news papers or watching television. Remember, the more sensational a story is the more newspapers and television shows will be read and watched, all of which generates money. Lots of money.
A number of the ADV posting members live in the most violent areas and provide detailed up-to-the-minute accountings of hostilities. Of particular note is the fact that all of the danger lies with those who are involved with the illegal drug trade; ordinary citizens and tourists have not experienced any danger when they follow common sense in their travels.
Sadly there have been incidents wherein Mexican citizens were killed or injured when caught between cross-fires involving rival drug cartel members. Those innocents were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time in hotly contested areas. Others who have been killed were driving SUV's or pickups that strongly resembled those favored by gangs and again, caught in the middle of a turf war. It's difficult for me to understand why anyone would choose to drive a black SUV into those areas knowing full well they could be targeted. It would be like wearing a deer costume in a hot hunting area on opening morning of hunting season. Go figure. To date no bikers have been involved in any of the skirmishes simply by avoiding those areas, at least during the times when confrontations are most likely to occur.
It would take up way too much space to do a comprehensive report regarding the topic of personal safety while motorcycling in Mexico; the ADVrider thread has reached over 5000 posts and is still going strong. I posted a link to that thread earlier for anyone who cares to learn more from real life riders and residents of Mexico; it's a worthwhile read.
Anyway thanks again for your consideration, I really appreciate what you're feeling and no, you're not being paranoid, just thinking and that's good. I hope you'll find time to have a look at the ADV thread, it's a facinating read and you may find it enlightening.
Best,
LL75
