I got an email from a colleague back in the US who asked me if it weren’t dangerous to drive in Mexico outside the city?

First of all, I hate driving in any city and find that most dangerous of all. Secondly, I live in a village called Ajijic. Every day when I go out my door, I have to avoid cars, motorcycles, buses, horses and a few chickens. But traffic is rarely dangerous unless you’re not paying attention.

My friend responded to me, “Huh?”

My friend obviously wasn’t referring to danger from traffic but to the violence from “DTO’s,” which is how the U.S. Consulate refers to “drug trafficking organizations.” Lately, there have been a few incidents even out here in Paradise, on Lake Chapala.

• A police official gunned down
• A hand grenade lobbed into a police chief’s house
• 9 arrests of DTO members

I guess there are problems everywhere that there are drug users, drug vendors, and people with guns (most of which are manufactured and bought in the US along with ammunition legally sold).

It’s estimated by official sources that 60,000 to 70,000 American guns have crossed into Mexico.

My response to him: Is it dangerous to go to a supermarket in Arizona?

Each country has their bad guys, their weapons and plenty of ammunition.

Which country has the higher murder rates? Don’t know. Maybe someone could look it up? Read More→