Security Alert for Veracruz
 

There have been reports of widespread looting and vandalism at shopping centers here in Veracruz and shooting at at least one. This is part of the problems now spreading across Mexico. Watch for caseta takeovers on toll roads, lack of fuel especially premium blend, increased military/police activity. Tomorrow, there will be roadblocks around parts of the city along with lack of bus and taxi services. Probably the tensest night I've felt here. DF and State of Mexico have problems and in the Baja. Heads up.

Thanks Mikemike, Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the cause of the discontent? Is this a state specific issue? I will be riding out of Mexico city on the 10th, havent decided which direction yet... perhaps these developments will help me decide.

20% hike in fuel prices, uptick in electricity and domestic LP gas prices, failed education regorm, failed taxation reform, failed energy reform, 40% devaluation of the peso since EPN became predident, his approval rating being the lowest of any modern Mexican president....etc...etc... Like I say, if the world only new what was really happening in Mexico, things might change here a little. The past two days have seen protests and civil disobediance in 20 states including looting in approx 1,000 stores across the republic ftom Oxxos to large scale shopping plazas. Not to mention highway and city blockades by trucks and buses. No news about it in Canada? Serious enough that the looters kept up during warning shots by military. Today, many stores didnt open even though tonight is the traditional Three Kings Celebration when most children receive the big gifts during the holiday season. It is good that you asked.

The news is available in mass media, but it's not emphasized. Example: http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/wo...-gasoline.html . Reading the articles, is ht'd to get a sense of how pervasive the unrest is, or how things are playing out on the ground. That's at least largely because reporters from the major media outlets don't really know themselves. And the people who work at our embassies--who might be expected to have reliable sources of their own--are mostly forbidden to go anyplace where they might encounter trouble. Whatever they do learn tends to be filtered through political agendas before it's released to the public.

Thanks for the info and the explanation.

Mark

That is true, Mark. In fact, I just read a write up on an Asian website that was surprisingly accurate compared to superficial US reporting. I believe the Asian website was using a decent independent analyst here. As of last night, more than 250 have been arrested in 3 states, but the tension is very high. More protests are plannned. Police and civil defense forces used tear gasto disperse a protest roadblock to open traffic flow for Chiapas, yesterday. On social media, last night's presidential national address was poorly received.

Thanks again for specifics, there may be news about this in Canada, but i have been in Peru since Dec.1st. No news here at all... except gossiping neighbours. And i have difficulties trusting the news anyways... sometimes its so far from the truth. Kind of like reading the "travel advisories",,, if you took it all to heart, may never leave home. But first hand info, such as from yourself, is worth listening to! Thank you! I am thinking to be headed north from Mexico City is maybe my best idea.

Don't worry too much. The violence, vandalism, and looting is now over for the most part. Arrests have been made and the threat of long jail terms and also the rise in crudely armed neighbourhood vigilantes in some areas, has quelled the problem. It was a massive wake up call for the country and for the president. There was a tremendous backlash against the looters when local residents in the areas affected realized they were losing their jobs when the stores were looted. Regular Mexican people began to protect stores in shifts and turn back prospective looters. There have been peaceful protests against the gas hikes and the last reports of lootings were of small OXXO style convenience stores, yesterday in marginal resource neighbourhoods. You should be ok wherever you go, however watch for local highway protests or road closures as people are really fed up these days and that is the usual first step in protests.

Hello MikeMike,

Damien here from Sydney, Australia... I am planning to travel to Mexico City around 10th November 2017 and was planning on buying a motorbike & riding to Panama City...
Sjoerd Bakker pointed me in your direction as someone who might be able to help with that.... Is that something you can do?

You can email me at dmfdmf68@gmail.com and give me your number & I'll be happy to call you to discuss....

Thank you in advance,

Damien