Bob Dylan - Things Have Changed

Okay Gang - On the topic of violent crime in The Z area - since my "poo poo " posts, I have received a number of emails off post suggesting that the situation in the Z area has very recently [since March] changed dramatically. There are no media accounts to support this; but the suggestion is that the bad guys have been able to suppress the news. I trust the people that have contacted me privately and I now believe the THINGS HAVE CHANGED. It won't change my plans to visit Z; but I will be sure to keep my head up and my stick on the ice. My apologies to those I wrote off as alarmists. ...JB

No one is suppressing the news. You can READ ALL ABOUT IT on my NEWS page. If there is something specific you think is worth discussing let's do so. But I take exception to having fearmongers who don't understand our local problems scare away potential tourists because they are our bread and butter. The average civilian is in much more danger of being shot or killed by deranged nutcases in the USA than here in Mexico.

What's changed? The cucaracha effect. When police crack down on criminals in one area they scurry off to another. The wreak havoc on their way to somewhere else.

What has changed? Since Bush stupidly allowed the ban on assault weapons to expire local authorities often find themselves outgunned.

What has changed? Some of our nice visitors have actually helped squatter settlements remain where they are by funding their "schools", which only serve to meet a requisite for getting a squatters' community "regularized", meaning lawbreakers get title to the lands they stole. These communities are where our local criminal elements find fertile ground for recruiting more criminals. Thanks for that.

What has changed? Since Felipe Calderón decided to fight the USA's proxy "War On Drugs" for Uncle Sam here in Mexican territory we are once again reminded of the same lessons supposedly learned (but apparently forgotten) by U.S. citizens and lawmakers that the War On Drugs is a failure and a counterproductive policy whose only "achievements" have been to empower violent organized criminals and increase the price of recreational but stupidly banned substances for over 20 million U.S. consumers who prefer a little something else besides alcohol, one of the most deadliest drugs of all. Recently a major gang leader was arrested locally, now the fun begins to see who takes his place and controls his "territory", a scenario repeated over and over ad nauseum, yet still after decades upon decades of the exact same results, U.S. lawmakers are no closer to resolving the problem than they were 50 years ago. Friggin' mind boggling!

What has changed? Now everyone with internet access can find news they never heard about before.

Like I said before, back when most of you all were discovering Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa for the first time, including back when Ixtapa was being built and even during its so-called golden years, terrible things were still happening to locals and the people in the sierra. It used to be the government was the main enemy. At least our state government is attempting to legalize the production of heroin in order to remove te biggest chunk of income from the most violent organized criminals. But we all know it's only a baby step in the right direction. Same with legalizing pot.

If you aren't involved in the local trade of stupidly banned substances, then you aren't a target for the type of violence making headlines.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of visitors currently here with their families are having the best vacations ever.

I have been told the same thing by 30-year residents of Ziha. Especially car-jackings of National tourists. Not exactly welcoming!

I have been travelling to Z for about fifteen years and while I have experienced only the warmth and friendliness of the locals it seems that there has been an increase in unfortunate incidents over the years. There also seems to be a lot more concern among the locals that this is a problem that negatively affects their livelihood. The Mexicans I meet seem to be hardworking honest people. That being said I will be totally honest in saying that the trend in Z is reducing the appeal of this destination on my travel list. In the frozen North I don't like even seeing guns and having someone shot that was a criminal shot by another criminal doesn't make it less horrific for me. This current situation with the roadblocks makes it appear that the rule of law is not in a healthy state as well. I am truly sorry that the honest hardworking people of Mexico who comprise the vast majority suffer because of this but I am just being honest regarding my perceptions and I think I would be considered a more adventurous kind of traveler.
I know the problems are complex and largely due to absolutely dismal politicians and I wish I could offer some kind of solution but it is way beyond me. It appears the only people who could do anything are the politicians and I am not going to hold my breath.
Que lastima!

We have been coming to Zihua 4 weeks a year for a number of years. I would consider myself to be a more adventurous traveler as well. We love the people there and have built some awesome long term relationships with a number of locals. I have never felt even the least bit threatened while I was there. We don't get drunk in Centro, we don't wander around at all hours of the night, we act as if we would when we are home in the Midwest. That being said, I never put myself in a position to be struck by a wayward bullet in the middle of the day at home. As my facebook feed shows violent act after violent act in the middle of broad daylight, it concerns me. The risk I might take for myself, I am not willing to take with my teenage daughter( who loves it in Zihu) or my 75 year old father whom I am considering bringing for a couple of weeks this year. If all of this recent activity has been going on regularly for the last 10 years, I must have certainly been blind to it all. I hope it does lessen, so I don't have to consider finding a new place to feed my soul from.

Regardless of who is being targeted, hearing gunfire half a block from your house is upsetting. And I can only imagine how upsetting it is to see someone gunned down as you are heading into the Mercado. As always, it is our Mexican friends and neighbors who suffer the most. None of this will stop me from spending time in a place I love, but it will make me more wary.