Rethink Mexico as travel destination
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January 12, 2007
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Autopsy set for man killed in Mexico
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Jan. 11.
It's about time Canadians re-evaluate Mexico as a travel destination. The Ianeiro and DePrisco tragedies highlight the growing insecurity in Mexico, fuelled by a rampant and violent drug war.
Local police in many jurisdictions have been plagued by underfunding, intimidation, murder, and corruption. In the Domenic and Nancy Ianeiro case, police blamed two Canadian "soccer moms," while in the Adam DePrisco case it was immediately ruled a hit-and-run. These immediate and rushed declarations are not coincidental, but reflect a growing trend of police mismanagement and incompetence.
Mexican police are not adequately trained, funded or have the resolve to tactfully conduct murder investigations. Furthermore, there is a growing climate of fear amongst Mexican police and politicians. Resort towns like Acapulco have been especially hard hit with Baghdad-like violence, political assassinations, police killings and beheadings. All the while the Mexican government maintains itself as a "safe" travel destination.
Mexico is caught in a tricky web of political, economic and societal problems.It is governed by a newly-elected, fragile and contested government. Meanwhile cartels are stepping up their violent war to control lucrative drug routes.
All this is exacerbated by abject poverty and deep class divisions. Mexico does not have the wherewithal to guarantee security to its own citizens, let alone foreigners.
I urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue a travel advisory immediately, before more Canadians are hurt or killed in an increasingly violent and unstable country.
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Daniel Tate, Thornhill