Tourist Trap
Nearly every night on the national news you can turn on the t.v. and hear about a disturbing new trend across the border. In Mexico kidnappings are on the rise due to civil war and the drug trade. American tourists are vanishing from the streets of Mexico and now the U.S. government is warning all tourists to watch their backs, and their fronts for that matter.
Mexico is a hot spot for college students, families, and newlyweds to escape to for some hot weather and cold drinks. However, this tropical paradise is quickly becoming a danger zone for tourists as more and more Americans are being kidnapped. These crime are not just being targeted at U.S. citizens, the wealthier sect of Mexico has been experiencing several kidnappings as well. Throughout Mexico City the citizens are starting to see crime as a part of life. The corrupt police force is doing nothing to stop the surge of problems, in fact many people believe that they are taking bribes and ransoms from leaders of the Mexican drug trade.
The preponderance of kidnapping and the general perception that the police cannot be trusted are symptoms of the breakdown of Mexican law enforcement in the face of a highly militarized narco-trafficking industry with billions of dollars to splash on buying loyalty.
No Help for Mexico's Kidnapping Surge - TIME
There are three common kinds of kidnappings. The kidnapping of upper class Mexican children, taxi kidnapping, and kidnapping for ransom. The most frightening and most common to happen to American tourists is that of taxi kidnapping. Once they have entered a cab they will rob the person of their money, credit cards, passport and jewelry. The drug trade and increase in violence are leading to these kidnappings.
Drugs destined for the United States are no longer making it across the border as successfully as in the past, especially after 9/11. Now, the drugs are remaining in border cities
Now cities that were once hot spots for tourists are now danger zones. Recently an American couple was kidnapped in Tijuana and a young girl was murdered even after her father paid the ransom for her life. Tourists need to be on constant alert when traveling in these border cities.
There may be no end in sight for the tragic events happening in Mexico. The police force and the citizens are becoming more money hungry and corrupt. It is a sad future for the once country.
