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texan

Mar 27, 2012, 11:41 AM

Post #1 of 10 (4234 views)

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Driving Houston to San Miguel

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I would like to hear from anyone that has recently driven, crossing at Laredo to Guanajuato. I have driven down in the past but not in the last few years. Wanting to know from someone first hand if there is any concern for safety or if any problems were incurred on their drive. I love the drive, but want to feel safe. Thanks so much.

RickS

Mar 27, 2012, 2:44 PM

Post #2 of 10 (4207 views)

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Re: [texan] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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texan, I suggest that you look at the Post I have linked below. Scan downd through ALL the Post including page 2 looking specifically for posts by "Altahabana" about situations lately in Nuevo Laredo. Altahabana is a professional guy who lives in N.V. and works in Laredo. There are also more posts than these on Mexconnect but this should give you some sense of how things are going there lately.

This is not to say that Laredo should not be considered as a crossing, but there have been problems. None of these problems have affected tourists, but..... You will see a post from me, RickS, stating that I came through Nuevo Laredo the very day there were some very serious events taking place on the west side of town.... 13 cartel killed I believe..... AND on the other side of town 3 hours later I saw nothing but a calm afternoon! No blockages, no police, NADA.

You will obviously make up your own mind about your safety there. I will be crossing north there again next week unless I hear otherwise. Thousands cross each week. I would not cross at the Colombia crossing at this point but that's just me.

YMMV

http://www.mexconnect.com/...cuota%20fees;#176108

(This post was edited by RickS on Mar 28, 2012, 11:00 AM)

texan

Mar 27, 2012, 2:56 PM

Post #3 of 10 (4202 views)

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Re: [RickS] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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Thanks, I read the post. I guess as with any situation we can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am more concerned about traffic stops on the highway (we use the cuota) and what to expect. I'm driving a Chevy Tahoe with Texas plates and had heard at one time that those were "targeted".

Altahabana

Mar 28, 2012, 4:10 AM

Post #4 of 10 (4151 views)

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Re: [texan] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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There haven't been any incidents in Nuevo Laredo during the last ten days like those that happened during the first two weeks of the month. If you use the cuota/toll road to Monterrey you don't need to worry about traffic stops, if by that you mean retenes/road blocks by the Zetas.

The situation that provoked the recent outbursts seems to be related to inter-cartel violence with the exception of the incident on the Columbia highway Rick mentioned. That was a planned operation by the military to intercept a Zeta convoy that was moving into the city. The current situation doesn't present any real risk to tourists/ex-pats in transit, although wrong times have recently been happening more frequently on roads that ex-pats routinely use.

robt65

Apr 12, 2012, 1:09 PM

Post #5 of 10 (3753 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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Hello Again Altahabana,

What do you hear lately from your sources regarding the cuota between where 57 connects to the cuota between just south of Monterrey and Reynosa at my favorite crossing . . . . . . . . . . the Anzalduas International Bridge into Mission, Texas?
robt65

Altahabana

Apr 12, 2012, 4:03 PM

Post #6 of 10 (3727 views)

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Re: [robt65] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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Hola Robert:

There haven't been any large scale incidents in the Reynosa area in the last few weeks. There is constant violence in and around Monterrey, but it seems to be planned killings of specific targets. There were army operations recently in the rural areas between Monterrey and the border cities between Cuidad Mier and Reynosa. The only incident I heard about that would be along your route was in China, N.L. and it was a takedown of a small group.

I would say it is relatively quiet right now in the lower Valley area--nothing out of the ordinary. We are having quite a few problems in and around Nuevo Laredo, particularly on the west side of town and on Highway 2 towards Piedras.

robt65

Apr 12, 2012, 5:59 PM

Post #7 of 10 (3704 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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Hi Altahabana,

Thanks for your response, that's good news indeed. I appreciate it a lot. I have heard of the problems you are having in your direction and many times I think about your daily drive NOB. I am sure at times it is very trying. Piedras really does seem to be having their share and more of problems lately.

Good to hear from you again. My best to your family.

Regards,

Robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on Apr 12, 2012, 6:01 PM)

RickS

Apr 12, 2012, 6:27 PM

Post #8 of 10 (3699 views)

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Re: [robt65] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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While I'm not an expert, it appears to me that Nuevo Laredo is more volatile than Piedras. Nowhere near the death, etc. in Piedras.

Altahabana

Apr 13, 2012, 10:49 AM

Post #9 of 10 (3645 views)

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Re: [RickS] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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I don't think Robt was comparing Piedras Negras to Nvo. Laredo. I believe he was comparing the more volatile situation in Piedras now with the way things were in the past. In any event I was not referring to incidents in Piedras Negras, but rather incidents on Highway 2 which runs between Nvo. Laredo and Piedras. It would have been more precise to have said the highway leading to Columbia bridge.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Apr 13, 2012, 10:52 AM)

todd74guitars

May 10, 2012, 12:03 PM

Post #10 of 10 (3157 views)

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Re: [texan] Driving Houston to San Miguel

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Hi Texan diriving to San Miguel,

I live in San Miguel and have driven 57 from Laredo numerous times in the last 5 years on my trips from Houston to San Miguel. The last trip was a month ago. I suggest of course driving only in daylight hours and making a stop in Matehuala if you don't want to make the entire trip, which is 10 hours for me. I am female and have made the trip on my own several times. The only empty stretch I worry about is from N Laredo to Saltillo...but nothing has ever happened in that area to me, or in any other part of the trip. There are check points in that area of Federal Police and somethimes soldiers. Do not go through the cities of Satillo or Monterrey. Stay on the toll roads. Leave Laredo by 8 am or 9 depending on the Bridge (#1 is faster I find), and you will be in Matehuala by 4 p.m. If you have any questions, just email me. Have a good trip,
Tacito