Buh-bye!
Posted on 04/16/2008 6:52:16 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
LOS CABOS, Mexico — Gunmen held up a family of U.S. tourists in Mexico on Tuesday and made off with their small plane, police said.
The robbers attacked the plane as the American couple and their two daughters, ages 6 and 8, were about to take off from a hotel airstrip in the Baja California beach town of Mulege.
Detective Juan Carlos de Jesus Jimenez said the thieves pulled a car in front of the six-seat Cessna Stationair, knocked out one of its windows and forced the tourists out at gunpoint. They then set fire to the car and flew off in the plane.
U.S. officials said they had heard reports about the incident but had not yet been in contact with the victims. The plane's identification number matched a craft registered to a company in Boise, Idaho.
Small aircraft are commonly used by Mexican drug cartels to smuggle narcotics.
They’re lucky they all got out alive.
Plane jacked?...........
don’t go there
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
An example of why I see no need to set foot outside of the US.
I don’t understand your comment? What were the people doing wrong?
susie
We used to go there ALL the time - as it happens in my dad's small Cessna 210.
None of us would go there now on a bet. There is no coherent government or law, the whole place is collapsing.
Doh! Dummy me, I saw California. Of course, going there might be trouble these days too! BTW I have some cool photos on my flickr page you might like.
susie
mexico is not the kind of place you go if you want to keep your family and your personal belongings safe. That's the equivalent of tying a salmon around your neck and jumping naked into a cage filled with hungry grizzles.
You can make a fairly reasonable assumption that odds are not in your favor of crawling out with everything you went in with.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
“U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas. Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone as a means to better ensure their safety. Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.”
Imagine having one of those remote control kill switches in your small plane...
Mexico is one of a growing number of countries I would not visit again. Bahamas is another one.
It's a boilerplate warning that you're all gonna die no matter where you go.
Can you imagine if the DOS had to write Travel Advisories for Detroit? DC? Oklahoma City or Waco? Hello!!
-----------------
"CRIME: Visitors should be aware that street crime, burglaries, and car thefts are a daily occurrence in Australia’s larger cities. Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, which also may be associated with drug trafficking and usage. Foreign visitors are sometimes targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers and petty thieves. There have also been reports of drink spiking in some areas.
"SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Switzerland, violence by anti-globalization, anti-Semitic, and anti-establishment (anarchist) groups does occur from time to time. This violence is typically in the form of property damage and clashes between these groups and the police.
CRIME: Switzerland has a low rate of violent crime. However, pick-pocketing and purse snatching do occur in the vicinity of train and bus stations, airports, and some public parks, especially during peak tourist periods (such as Summer and Christmas) and when conferences, shows, or exhibits are scheduled in major cities. Liechtenstein has a low crime rate. Travelers may wish to exercise caution on trains, especially on overnight trains to neighboring countries. Thieves, who steal from passengers while they sleep, can enter even locked sleeping compartments.
CRIME: The United Kingdom and Gibraltar benefit from generally low crime rates; however crime, including violent crime, has increased over the last few years, especially in London. Incidents include pickpocketing; mugging; “snatch and grab” thefts of mobile phones, watches and jewelry; and theft of unattended bags, especially at airports and from cars parked at restaurants, hotels and resorts.
Pickpockets target tourists, especially at historic sites, restaurants, on buses, trains and the London Underground (“Tube” or subway). Thieves often target unattended cars parked at tourist sites and roadside restaurants, looking for laptop computers and hand-held electronic equipment. Walking in isolated areas, including public parks, especially after dark, should also be avoided, as these provide advantageous venues for muggers and thieves. In London, travelers should use only licensed “black taxi cabs,” or car services recommended by their hotel or tour operator. Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but are often uninsured and may have unlicensed drivers. In some instances, travelers have been robbed and raped while using these cars. Travelers should not leave drinks unattended in bars and nightclubs. There have been some instances of drinks being spiked with illegal substances, leading to incidents of robbery and rape.
Mayday Mayday Mayday!
Love it!
From the same warning, and a little more pointed.
__________________________________________________________
April 14, 2008
This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires on October 15, 2008.
Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border
Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.
Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas.
Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. (IN OTHER WORDS, POLICE ARE INVOLVED ON THE CRIME SIDE)
U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly are the victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well. Thousands of U.S. citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur.
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality.
U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.
___________________________________________________________
Given the U.S. Fedgov position of prostration before the mexican government, things have to be horrific in quaint old mexico before the State Department would make such a statement.
Believe what you will, but anyone setting foot in Klepxico does so at great risk to life and limb.
Unfortunately no photos from the last training day, as my hubby and I were both having to do double duty as bird boys . . . . but Ruby is a ball o' fire. Hubby said he thought she was the fastest dog out there, and her trainer thinks she may be. Anyhow, we're going to enter her into the Speed Event at the next hunt test, and get a stopwatch on her just to see. What a contrast to Shelley the Cute! Shelley retrieves a bird with this sort of coy archness - she approaches the bird, leaps into the air with front paws outspread as if to say, 'Ah! There you are you little rascal!' and pounces on it, then canters sedately back. Ruby charges absolutely full tilt, does not even slow down, and HITS the bird like a defensive lineman sacking a quarterback. Her momentum usually spins her around her mouth, so she's in position to sprint straight back. The feathers fly!
It was a very windy day, whitecaps on the pond, and I almost had to swim out after a young dog who got in trouble with a large duck and the rough water. I was down to my skivvies and getting ready to leap in when he righted himself. I think that's how I got giardia . . . . yecccch!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.