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lamur

Mar 12, 2010, 8:44 AM

Post #1 of 24 (6415 views)

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Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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We're headed out this afternoon. Has there been any problems along that stretch from Nuevo Laredo to Monterey in the last couple of days? We're going our usual way, I think getting lost somewhere we're unfamiliar with would be the most dangerous, but I sure would appreciate any input on the current situation. From what I've heard so far..they're looking for Zeta's not granny gringo..correct?

L

Reefhound

Mar 12, 2010, 9:30 AM

Post #2 of 24 (6403 views)

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Re: [lamur] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I continue to see news accounts of fights and murders in the area. More incidents occurred Wednesday and reported yesterday.

You are leaving this afternoon? What time are you planning to traverse that region? One consulate report suggested peak violence occurs after 3pm.

They seem to be looking for rival gang members in their checkpoints but these gangs engage in a variety of criminal enterprises from carjacking to extortion to kidnapping for ransom. They are probably under financial stress right now paying for their little war. My concern is all the carjackings around Monterrey.

I chose to divert through Eagle Pass. After looking at maps and listening to directions, I really see no way to get lost. It's Mx57 all the way.

We will try to look as poor as possible - no jewelry, ipod/cell phone/dvd player/etc. stashed out of sight, etc.

lamur

Mar 12, 2010, 10:07 AM

Post #3 of 24 (6395 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Hav any gringos be carjacked?

Reefhound

Mar 12, 2010, 10:42 AM

Post #4 of 24 (6387 views)

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Re: [lamur] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I don't know, one report says they are looking mostly for pickups and SUVs. I would think they pick out a vehicle they want and go get it. Not sure if it matters to them or not who is driving it. Wonder if they are particular about U.S. or Mexican plated?

ken_in_dfw

Mar 12, 2010, 11:06 AM

Post #5 of 24 (6379 views)

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Re: [lamur] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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"Hav any gringos be carjacked"

Yes, there was a report of a couple who live in San Miguel who were carjacked about a month or so ago in Monterrey. I don't know what type of vehicle they were driving. But it was definitely bad cops who did the deed (the couple were even taken to an outdoor holding cell outside of a police station).

Altahabana

Mar 15, 2010, 6:55 PM

Post #6 of 24 (6242 views)

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Re: [ken_in_dfw] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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This incident occurred Saturday near Bustamante, a town north of Monterrey off Highway 1 famous for its bread and pan dulce products. Marines were helicoptered in and caught a large contingent of Zetas by surprise as they were forming up for something. Highway 1 is the back road from Monterrey to Nuevo Laredo and is the direct highway from Columbia bridge. It is about 90 miles south of Nuevo Laredo and about 50 miles from Anahuac where a running gunbattle between the Zetas and the army took place on March 3.

http://www.milenio.com/node/401572

There were rumors today of a small balacera a little north of Columbia bridge on Highway 2 between a group moving from Piedras to Nuevo Laredo and the army. Unless there are multiple casualties these types of incidents may not get reported even if they do happen. This one sounds more like a rumor than a real event.

donemry

Mar 16, 2010, 9:01 AM

Post #7 of 24 (6168 views)

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Re: [ken_in_dfw] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Ken, as you should well know, since you posted the link, that incident occured in June of last year.

Reefhound

Mar 16, 2010, 1:12 PM

Post #8 of 24 (6122 views)

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Re: [donemry] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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The article is dated yesterday and mentions nothing about June last year, what is your source?

donemry

Mar 17, 2010, 10:17 AM

Post #9 of 24 (6063 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Referring to a different article which may be found here:

http://www.forumsfallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com/showthread.php?t=3225

This is from the "Heads Up: travel through Monterrey" thread.

Sorry for the confusion.

So, is there any recent reported incident in the Monterrey area involving US or Canadian citizens and did they occur on the cuotas?

(This post was edited by donemry on Mar 17, 2010, 10:20 AM)

Reefhound

Mar 17, 2010, 11:05 AM

Post #10 of 24 (6053 views)

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Re: [donemry] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I don't know. The U.S. consulate in Monterrey mentioned an incident with a U.S. citizen on the cuota from Reynosa in their warning a few weeks ago but it seems no details or reports ever appear about specific incidents unless they involve lots of gunfire and a few dead bodies.

I think.. even in Monterrey or Nuevo Laredo that the odds are vastly on your side but you have to evaluate things relatively. I might count on my hands the number of serious incidents on the NL/Monterrey cuota, meaning one could drive that route daily and probably never see a problem. Of course, if you're the unlucky one in a million, odds don't matter.

On the other hand, I have never ever heard of a gang checkpoint on the interstate between Houston and San Antonio, for instance. The fact that we are seeing even scattered reports and warnings is alarming when one considers that we ought to be able to drive a major highway from one city to another without even having to remotely worry about this kind of crap. It does seem that the number of incidents reported are increasing and spreading, and for every report that surfaces are likely dozens that are unreported or unpublished.

donemry

Mar 17, 2010, 11:13 AM

Post #11 of 24 (6048 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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So, are the odds better for heart attacks and auto accidents than meeting "interesting people" on the cuotas? I don't know, but we do need to get back to TN next month. I cannot run my life on speculations, innendos and rumors. Reality is tough enough.

Reefhound

Mar 17, 2010, 11:52 AM

Post #12 of 24 (6040 views)

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Re: [donemry] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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The subject of risk, especially the variance between actual and perceived, is rather interesting. We tend to make a big deal out of the more remote risks which fascinate us (shark attack, plane crash, etc.) while ignoring the far more likely and mundane risks (heart attack, car accident near home, etc.).

I don't think you are ever going to be able to get enough information to accurately asses your true risk in going home. You're just going to have to pick a route (you have several to choose) that you feel is safest and do what you can to improve your odds (drive in daytime, minimize stops, keep flashy jewelry and electronics out of sight) and accept that there are no guarantees in life.

I am returning to Houston this weekend via Cd Victoria and McAllen, partly to avoid Monterrey and partly for the adventure of a route I've not taken before.

Brian

Mar 17, 2010, 12:14 PM

Post #13 of 24 (6032 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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"I am returning to Houston this weekend via Cd Victoria and McAllen, partly to avoid Monterrey and partly for the adventure of a route I've not taken before."

I am not qualified to give advice, and wouldn't want to take the responsibility if I were, but I think your chosen route is hopefully the less risky of the alternatives. Most of the recent mayhem has centered around Reynosa and surrounding areas. But if a number of twitter messages have any validity, it appears that the Zetas are being driven out and they have decided to circle the wagons in Nuevo Laredo. I'm not saying Reynosa has seen the worst of it but, from appearances, the future problems might be more felt towards the western routes.

jm95

Mar 19, 2010, 2:49 PM

Post #14 of 24 (5909 views)

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Re: [Brian] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I am still debating whether to travel north through Piedras Negras, Nuevo Laredo or Colombia. My trip is still 10 days away, so I will try to keep informed on what's happening and then make a decision. I do need to make the trip. In the meantime, can anyone provide very specific directions for me to cross in Nuevo Laredo--that include a stop at the facility where I cancel my car import permit and turn in my FMT--and then onto one of the bridges. I am very nervous about getting lost in Nuevo Laredo. Would really appreciate any information.

jimboynton

Mar 19, 2010, 4:24 PM

Post #15 of 24 (5878 views)

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Re: [jackiem] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I am also leaving soon (Mar 28th) and reaching the border on the 29th. I am still inclined to cross at Colombia although am looking at the Los Indios crossing via Cd. Victoria. But as someone suggested you might be better off using the route you know best. At this point I would be bypassing Monterrey late Monday morning.

jm95

Mar 19, 2010, 4:47 PM

Post #16 of 24 (5863 views)

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Re: [jimboynton] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Jim, I agree that it is probably better to take the route that one knows best--which in my case would be Colombia. However, after reading about the activities on the road between the Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo autopista and the Colombia Bridge, I would like to also have specific directions available for the Nuevo Laredo route (including the stop at the car permit facility). Just in case something happens on the Colombia route requiring a last-minute change of plans, I don't want to be caught unprepared bumbling around Nuevo Laredo.

Reefhound

Mar 19, 2010, 5:50 PM

Post #17 of 24 (5850 views)

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Re: [jackiem] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I know those routes mostly by sight so hopefully others will give you precise directions. When returning Colombia, there is a highway immediately past the military checkpoint on 85 as you approach N.L. That leads to another highway Mx2 that connects N.L. to Colombia. Not very good directions I know, but I did it the first time with no special knowledge but my Guía Roji and just followed signs. If you go that route, the car return is a shack on the left hand side of the road leading to the border, a little ways before the toll booth on the Mexican side.

If you cross at N.L. you'll stay on 85 after the checkpoint and turn right on the periferico Luis Donaldo Colosio. I don't recall how the exit is marked and I missed it one time and backtracked to it but I think it is marked Bridge II. Whatever, take the first exit that indicates a bridge. That road winds around with the river on your right and there will be a red light at the intersection of Hidalgo on your left and a little road that goes off on your right. Take the one on your right and it leads under the bridge and to the main immigration building. Enter the parking lot, go up by the building and to the far end, there is a drive thru lane with a small shack where they scan and remove your tag. Retrace back up that road and turn right on Colosio to continue to the toll booth and bridge.

Now there is also a shack and lane just before the toll booth on Colosio that you can do the same thing and we used it once. But another time it didn't scan right and they said we would have to go to the other one. Problem is you are stuck and no place to turn around. I was so mad about having to wait an hour to cross the border only to come back and do it all over that I raised a big fuss and refused to move until they removed barriers and let me cross thru an off limits parking lot for employees to get back to a local street. So from now I just take the extra 5 minutes to do it at the main station.

Call up google maps and you should be able to see it clearly. Use satellite view with road labels.

The N.L crossing is 24 hours and Colombia is more limited.

Reefhound

Mar 19, 2010, 5:57 PM

Post #18 of 24 (5849 views)

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Re: [Brian] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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We usually make the drive up from Celaya in one day and pass thru N.L. between 6pm and midnight, but that appears to be a very bad time based on the news reports so this year we not only are diverting to Los Indios but staying overnight in Cd Victoria and heading for the border next morning, which should have us crossing a little after noon.

jimboynton

Mar 19, 2010, 7:07 PM

Post #19 of 24 (5827 views)

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Re: [jackiem] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Here is one set of directions I got from someone on the Forum...can't vouch for accuracy:

It is fairly easy to get to the CIITEV station where you get the FMT and vehicle permit in Nuevo Laredo coming from the South.

1. As you approach Nuevo Laredo on Highway 85 you will see an exit to the right for Bridge II--Blvd. Luis Coloso. You get onto Coloso and will go about 6 miles on divided roadway. You will get in the right lane when you see an overhead road sign that shows Ave. Cesar de Lara to the right.

2. At the first traffic light you will veer to the right onto a two-way access road (Lara) that parallels Coloso. There is also a blue sign that says Modulo CIITEV. After about a half mile you will see the large station on your left.

3. There is a Holiday Inn Express on Coloso that is a good place to spend the night. It will be on your left as you drive toward the CIITEV station and will be alongside the road as you are leaving.

Altahabana

Mar 20, 2010, 5:23 AM

Post #20 of 24 (5779 views)

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Re: [jimboynton] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Those look like a shorthand version of my directions. Here is something more detailed I provided someone on another forum.

First go to Google maps and find Nuevo Laredo. Click on the map mode and go out one or two clicks past the half-way point.

1. Coming from the south you will see the main highway from Monterrey (Hwy. 85). On the map it will be called REFORMA.

2. As the road approaches Nuevo Laredo you will see a road that crosses REFORMA in a looping fashion. To the right (east) it is called Luis Donaldo Coloso---to the left it is marked Al Aeropuerto. You will exit off of Hwy 85 to the right. . There is a Mitsubishi dealership on the right immediately before you get to the exit. There should also be signage that says Coloso and International Bridge II or Lincoln-Juarez Bridge.

3. Zoom in one click closer on the map. You will see that Coloso goes east and then bends to the left and runs parallel to the river/border. As you near the bend you will see a large reddish building to your right--- the Nuevo Laredo Centro de Cultura (Auditorium/Area). Once you go around the bend Coloso runs alongside the river. You are now heading towards the bridge.

4. As you head toward the bridge on Coloso you will see a Holiday Inn Express on your left--it is an excellent place to stay. About 2 km further on you will see the entrance to Paseo Colon to your left (visible on the map). About 2 km past Colon you will see a turn-off to the left that I believe says El Centro. On the map you will see a green area which is the Parque Viveros which is part of the zoo.

5. About 3-4 km past the turn-off/zoo/park, you will see an overhead sign that directs traffic to the left lanes for the Bridge and to the right lane to Blvd. Cesar de Lara. Get into the right lane. Ahead you will see the first traffic signal since exiting onto Coloso. On the mileage markers alongside the road the one before the traffic signal is 10. I assume that designates 10 km from the exit on Hwy. 85.

6. There is a road off to the right which is similar to a highway access road. That is Blvd. Cesar de Lara. Before you get to the signal you can move right and merge from Coloso onto Cesar de Lara. If you miss the little salida you can go a couple of hundred yards to the traffic light and get onto Lara from there. At the light on the opposite side of the cross street you will see a large blue sign directing you to the permit statition. It says Modulo CIITEV and has an arrow pointing to the right.

7. Once on Lara it will run parallel to Coloso and take you directly to the Permit station which is on the riverbank between Bridge II and the old downtown bridge about 1 km from the traffic light. It is a large building within a large fenced in parking lot. Take a left at the entrance. As you drive towards the building you may see vehicles lined up to your right going to a booth which is where you turn in the permit. I assume you can also turn in the FMT. The attendant at the booth can direct you where to go if they don't take them there.

8. After you finish you will exit back onto Blvd. Cesar de Lara turning right as you leave the parking lot. You will retrace your route to the intersection with the traffic signal at Coloso. You will simply make a mini-U turn back onto Coloso and that will take you directly to the toll booths for the bridge.

The route itself is easy to follow. There are no lights on Coloso until you get to the one I described. I gave landmarks so you will know you are on the correct route. As far as accuracy goes I drive from the Paseo Colon to the Bridge on Coloso twice a day.

Sometimes the Banjercito location just before the toll booths one poster mentioned is open and the permit can be cancelled but that is usually open only during very peak travel seasons.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Mar 30, 2010, 9:55 AM)

jwp_007

Mar 20, 2010, 7:41 AM

Post #21 of 24 (5756 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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I crossed the border at Laredo north bound on Thursday with no problems. Driving north from Matehuala we were stopped by the police / army at 4 checkpoints and searched twice. It looked like all large SUV's and expensive cars with Texas plates were getting very thorough searches – body panels – wheels – undercarriage. I drive a small pickup so they only looked at the engine compartment, and glovebox.

Reefhound

Mar 21, 2010, 7:36 PM

Post #22 of 24 (5597 views)

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Re: [jwp_007] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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At least, they looked like army/police, right? Mwahahaha.

Reefhound

Mar 21, 2010, 8:17 PM

Post #23 of 24 (5588 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Well we returned this weekend from Celaya via Cd Victoria and Los Indios.

The cut through the mountains from 57 to Cd Victoria was easy but gas up first as Mx80 is barren and Mx101 has only a few places along the way. There was a military checkpoint on Mx101 just before Via Corta.

Cd Victoria was a nice stopover and we stayed at Hotel Sierra Gorda. Quoted rates were 540 pesos for 5th floor and 600 pesos for floors 2-4, with 30% discount on weekends. We took 5th floor (better view and the elevator guy is prompt) and were charged 318 pesos. Can't figure out their math but what a deal!

The road from Cd Victoria to Los Indios is pretty good and plenty of services. The military checkpoint was backed up 45 minutes. Valle Hermosa has a strong fascination with topes even by Mexican standards. Worst part of the whole drive.

Los Indios - dammit the vehicle return booth is closed on Sundays. I didn't feel like detouring down to Matamoros and enduring further delay so I still have my permit. I guess it's an excuse to take the family to South Padre one weekend this summer. Now for the excitement.

Standing in the parking lot of the Mexican immigration building at Los Indios, we were by our van fiddling around when all of a sudden we heard a few whistles and a dozen soldiers began running around diving behind cars and barrels and things, weapons raised in firing position. I yelled for my kids and wife to get down. Damn kids popped their heads up wanting to know why until wifey yelled again to get down and lay on the floor while we huddled by the open doors. Behind us were three soldiers behind a car and an armored vehicle with mounted 50 caliber looking east (see pic), to our left was a soldier behind a light post looking west, between the two cars to our right was a soldier on the ground facing south, and further behind us were about 5 soldiers crouching behind the building for the car permit return. None of them indicated to us to either not worry or to stay down.

I'm not sure what was going on be it a drill or something spooked them or they were expecting a threat but when several of them (not all) seemed to relax we decided there was no active engagement and we'd be better off scooting out of there before whatever threat they were waiting for arrived.

(This post was edited by Reefhound on Mar 21, 2010, 8:23 PM)

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Altahabana

Mar 22, 2010, 5:26 AM

Post #24 of 24 (5544 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Any new updates about Nuevo Laredo?

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Nuevo Laredo has been pretty quiet over the last two weeks. Based on news reports and info from cyberspace there are far more problems in and around Reynosa and in Monterrey than in Nuevo Laredo.