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Nancy in CO

Apr 1, 2011, 9:19 PM

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Border States

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When I look at the "areas" section of the forum, I don't see anything about Nuevo Leon or Coahulia, although Tamaulipas is included in the Gulf Coast section. As we often cross at Piedras Negras, it would be useful to have some information about that region. I hear rumors about "issues" in that area, and since we intend to return to the US in May, it would be nice to know if there's anything going on there. Monterrey is not good, I hear, but we bypass it on the way to Piedras Negras. Any help on this?

Thanks much--N.

Rolly


Apr 1, 2011, 10:33 PM

Post #2 of 11 (2591 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Border States

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Often you'll find postings about road activities in the northern areas on the Travel forum.
There are not special forums for these states because so few of us live there.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

chinagringo


Apr 2, 2011, 6:47 AM

Post #3 of 11 (2558 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Border States

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The news out of Piedras Negras tends to be slim to none. Borderland Beat is one source where I often see a few articles:

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/...-piedras-negras.html
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM


T

Apr 2, 2011, 3:00 PM

Post #4 of 11 (2486 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Border States

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I take Borderland Beat with a grain of salt, as their disclaimers are huge. T.

Rolly


Apr 2, 2011, 3:38 PM

Post #5 of 11 (2480 views)

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Re: [T] Border States

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Most of the content on Borderland Beat is mirrored from other publications and is easily verified.
I, like Neil, spend a lot of time reading about the drug wars, after all I live in one of the hot spots.
I find BB to be the best source in English.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

T

Apr 2, 2011, 3:59 PM

Post #6 of 11 (2469 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Border States

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I find BB to be unnecessarily incendiary. Glad that you enjoy it. To each his own. T

Rolly


Apr 2, 2011, 4:04 PM

Post #7 of 11 (2466 views)

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Re: [T] Border States

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Where did I say I enjoy it? On the contrary, I often find the pictures repulsive.
I don't read it for the pictures; I read for information. I want to know what is going on around me.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

chinagringo


Apr 2, 2011, 4:46 PM

Post #8 of 11 (2445 views)

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Re: [T] Border States

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Terry:

Do we have to go through your disclaimer thing each time when I or another member provides a link to an article on Borderland Beat? You have brought this up before and we are familiar with the fact that you prefer to keep your head in the sand. Maybe you would prefer links to Blog Narco, with no disclaimers and plenty of staged decapitations and dead bodies?

The OP asked for information on a lightly used border crossing that has limited news coverage. I have never crossed at this crossing and I would highly doubt that you or many other members have either. The linked article provided an overview of the situation in that particular area. I have a friend whose cousin has a history of doing volunteer church work in the area and they have been forced to curtail and limit their activities. And why would that be? Could it just possibly be that this is an area where the cartels enjoy virtual control over most activities? Even based upon what limited amount of info that I have read, i would personally not even consider driving through the area!

Maybe Mommy will provide you with a permission slip to travel to this region with a bilingual guide on a tour bus?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM


Rolly


Apr 2, 2011, 5:34 PM

Post #9 of 11 (2437 views)

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Re: [Nancy in CO] Border States

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Nancy, you may find this discussion about PV on another board useful.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

chinagringo


Apr 2, 2011, 6:13 PM

Post #10 of 11 (2428 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Border States

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Rolly:

I went to your provided link and read the Thorn Tree thread. From what I have been told (as related by the church group), the taxis in Piedras Negras are cartel controlled or at the very least being forced to pay daily protection money. One of the church group contacts owned a small fleet of taxis and the last I heard, he was forced to take his fleet elsewhere (as in an entirely different city) if he wished to avoid doing business with the cartels. I will grant you that this is hearsay but news is limited.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM


Altahabana


Apr 3, 2011, 5:06 AM

Post #11 of 11 (2373 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Border States

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The article Rolly linked is the only piece on the internet that discusses the situation in Piedras. The Zetas are firmly--if not totally--- in control of northern Coahuila so there is not a lot of open violence like you see in the border cities of Tamaulipas where the Gulf cartel has a strong presence. What clashes there are involve the military and the Zs. The problems the Zetas cause in northern Coahuila relate to their non-trafficking activities and the extortion of small businesses is reality so believe what you hear.

I am afraid the level of violence will rise in Coahuila over the next few months, along the Highway 57 corridor. Saltillo has had a series of highy public balaceras between the military/PFP and the Zetas over the two months. Family members and friends in Monclova have reported there have been narco banners prominently displayed warning against cooperating with "nueva gente" , an obvious reference to the Gulf cartel and that retenes have been set up in some colonias by the Zs apparently looking for infiltrators. There are rumors of a full scale batte that happened between San Buenaventura and Sacremento on Highway 30 (the highway from Monclova to Cuatrocienegas and Torreon) involving the Army and the Zetas.

Most people apparently don't realize that the cartels are entrenched in all the cities and towns of Coahuila and that the safety of traveling along Highway 57 is certainly relative and somewhat illusory. At present there probably isn't much risk to an individual traveler, but Highway 57 is not a safe harbor amidst the turmoil that has engaged all of northern Mexico. Groups of armed men travel ALL the highways in the north of the country every day for a variety of reasons.


(This post was edited by Altahabana on Apr 3, 2011, 6:25 AM)
 
 
 
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