The common story you get from gringos in San Diego, especially those of the right wing persuasion, is that Mexico is a "failed state."

Here's one definition of "failed state":

"A state whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control."

I leave it to the experts to decide.

In control of what? Paying its bills? Keeping insurrectionists from disrupting its legislative processes? Putting criminals behind bars even if they're billionaire ex-presidents? Keeping its police from killing its citizens?

The common story you get from gringos in San Diego, especially those of the right wing persuasion, is that Mexico is a "failed state."

Here's one definition of "failed state":

"A state whose political or economic system has become so weak that the government is no longer in control."

I leave it to the experts to decide.

Padrino, the same occurred in your neck of the playa just North of Ensenada and all along the coast of BC in the 70's.

Yes, I have heard many tales from locals. They say to never trust the police, lawyers, or judges. (They don't trust the banks, either.) It's funny. I have never had a problematic encounter with police anywhere in Mexico. I guess I am supposed to knock on wood now, right?

The common story you get from gringos in San Diego, especially those of the right wing persuasion, is that Mexico is a "failed state." They maybe used to go to Baja California thirty years ago but have not been in decades and likely will never set foot again. At one family get-together, my Fox News loving brother-in-law strongly declared that the U.S. should just take over Mexico. I didn't say a word in response. What does one say to such an assertion?

I don't pretend to understand or have an opinion of Mexican politics. Much of what I read online and here on this forum is very confusing and filled with mixed messages. I love the culture, the people, the food, the climate, the ocean, the scenery, the language, and the architecture. There's a lot to said about that. So what if the politics and the rule of law are sketchy? Nothing we humans have ever created is perfect, right?

What is latest new on Parthenon?
Has anyone visited recently?

It remains not only a sad memory to my wife's family who had to give up valuable land at La Ropa under threat by the criminal El Negro Durazo, but it remains a monument to extreme PRI corruption currently being restored by a PRI municipal government that is profiting from its restauration. Instead of restoring it, they should've torn it down, sold the land and reimbursed victims such as my wife's family.

At the risk of sounding *really* stupid, is there any legal recourse you have? Aren't there legal records that would show that this criminal bought the land from you? And knowing that he was eventually found to be a criminal, wouldn't that give you some ammunition that your family was coerced into selling?

I should know better than to ask, yes?

Really? Ammunition. Funny you should use that expression. Calls to mind the USED pistol El Negro Durazo presented to my suegro as a "regalito" when he told him which parcel of my suegro's land he wanted. Does that count as evidence? Against whom? Very unfortunately at that time in Mexico, federal police were exempt from the law. They had "fuero". They could literally get away with murder. And they did. La Guerra Sucia was in full swing, and Guerrero was full of revolucionarios.

What is latest new on Parthenon?
Has anyone visited recently?

It remains not only a sad memory to my wife's family who had to give up valuable land at La Ropa under threat by the criminal El Negro Durazo, but it remains a monument to extreme PRI corruption currently being restored by a PRI municipal government that is profiting from its restauration. Instead of restoring it, they should've torn it down, sold the land and reimbursed victims such as my wife's family.

At the risk of sounding *really* stupid, is there any legal recourse you have? Aren't there legal records that would show that this criminal bought the land from you? And knowing that he was eventually found to be a criminal, wouldn't that give you some ammunition that your family was coerced into selling?

I should know better than to ask, yes?

What is latest new on Parthenon?
Has anyone visited recently?

It remains not only a sad memory to my wife's family who had to give up valuable land at La Ropa under threat by the criminal El Negro Durazo, but it remains a monument to extreme PRI corruption currently being restored by a PRI municipal government that is profiting from its restauration. Instead of restoring it, they should've torn it down, sold the land and reimbursed victims such as my wife's family.