Surgery in Monterrey is safe? Mexican PS kidnapped, American patient ultimate target

We live close to the Mexican border and have enjoyed going there for dental care, prescription meds, some dr. visits, and much shopping over the course of many years. However, my family and most everyone we know who used to follow the same pattern do NOT go to Mexico anymore at all, period.

Even in the very American friendly border towns that cater to the Texas locals and Winter Texans, violence, shootings, and more frequently, kidnapping of Americans are happening on a rapidly escalating scale.

It is much more extensive than is being reported in the US media, and the Mexican media often pays a high price when they report the truth, with reporters and editors being tortured and killed.

I am not knocking the skill and expertise of the Mexican dr's., but it is an extremely volatile and dangerous situation in many parts of Mexico now.

In regards to general safety in Mexico - it is very different there.  When I was told I there was a potential for me to Mexico City for work I was told that I would given my own driver/body guard and under no cir****tance was I to go with anyone else, go out exploring on my own, etc. 

When there are advisories from the government issued about not traveling to countries where business is done, my client listens and restricts travel.

These weren't rules just for my company - everyone that I know of that has to go to Mexico for business is told the same thing.  It's not like I am wealthy or have an influential job (anything that would make me worth kidnapping by what most Americans think as good reasons).  It's just for the fact that I am an American.  

There's living in fear and then there's going into a foreign country where if thinking because you're a tourist you're safe. 

I have no qualms about going to Mexico for ps, provided the research was properly done - but for as much travel as I do by myself for work, Mexico or any Central/South American country right now are the safest places.  It's a whole different world.

We live close to the Mexican border and have enjoyed going there for dental care, prescription meds, some dr. visits, and much shopping over the course of many years. However, my family and most everyone we know who used to follow the same pattern do NOT go to Mexico anymore at all, period.



Ditto. There is no way in HELL I would willingly travel into Mexico these days. Our local dive shop does trips to a town on the northern most portion of the Sea of Cortez; I would LOVE to go. But it would involve driving thru some of the most dangerous areas; so NO, I won't be going.

I also have a new neighbor, an American (caucasian) married to a Mexican orthodontist who was raising her family in Mexico for the last 18 years; she and her kids moved to our town SPECIFICALLY because of the violence. Unfortunately, her husband has to stay in Mexico (visa and professional reasons), but she says she will stay here at least until her kids (10th and 11th grade) start college. Then, she might go back to be with hubby.

If it's money you're looking to save, there are other parts of the world where PS is cheap and it's much safer to travel. I had the opportunity to have my procedures done FOR FREE in the Philippines (by an extended family member of my hubby) but chose instead to pay for it here.
 

 

I did register with the consulate before my surgery.  I did get a couple of emails regarding the violence in Mexico and warned about going to certain areas.  I had surgery In April in Monterrey.  I was concerned and it was very scary watching the news while I was there.  There was lots of violence but I don't speak Spanish so I really had no clue where exactly they were even talking about.  I am thankful I decided to go then, as Sept was my second option and probably would be rethinking Mexico had I waited.  I did feel safe for the most part while I was there, but things have worsened in the last month or so.  Sure wish there was something they could do to put a stop to all this.  There are some wonderful doctors there and so much cheaper than the states.

I was just there 9 days ago, never did I feel unsafe.   I wandered around to the local mall behind the hotel.   There was lots of security and from what the Mexicans say, if you're not in the drug trade, you are safe.  Of course, just like any big city, U.S. or Canada, travelling around at night time alone is a concern.   My surgery was safe, and my surgeon made sure I had drivers to pick me up and drop me off.  

Bonnie

... and from what the Mexicans say, if you're not in the drug trade, you are safe...


Unfortunately, that is just untrue.  

Drug terrorists are definitely targeting Americans, and people who are educated or wealthy, for kidnapping and violence because of the expectation of ransom.  In this particular case, bad things are happening to good people AND bad people.

In short, people associated with the drug cartels are NOT the only targets!  In my opinion, it is disrespectful and unkind to the victims and their families to paint them with that brush.

This article was in the McAllen, TX paper this morning:
http://www.themonitor.com/articles/televisa-41871-matamoros- grenades.html

It talks of grenade attacks yesterday on a TV station in Matamoros, which is just across the border from Brownsville, TX, and also mentions a grenade attack over the weekend at a sister station in Monterrey.

A pastor of a Mexican church we know of in Mier, which is across the border and just up the road from Zapata, TX, found three decapitated bodies on his church entrance earlier this year.

Even the places that were once considered "immune" from the narco violence are no longer safe. I think travel to Mexico right now is taking a hugely dangerous chance. 

I have travelled to Monterrey when since the 70s, but not in the past 10 years.  

Monterrey (and the rest of the country) have allowed the drug kingpins to become entrenched by buying their way into every level of society.   The police are bought and paid for.  The Army is barely holding it's own.  

Monterrey's  own candidate for mayor admitted this past April that the only reason it had been quiet was because the narcos allowed it to be. Now the truce is blown.

They narcos simply want money, now that their operations are being threatened.  Hotel business meetings have already been targeted, why not Americans having plastic surgery, who may also be perceived to have money ?

I only just saw this thread but am very glad I did. Monterrey had been my #1 choice but with the recent changes, it just does not seem like the sane thing to do. Besides, I have the luck of Murphy - if anything can go wrong, it will. It is 99% that I will have to travel for my plastics and I will be bringing my 4 year old son and husband with me, and no way would I risk their lives.

Well, back to the drawing board! At least now I do not have to deal with getting a passport.

Many thanks to everyone!