READERS' CORNER

On February 20, 2007 Mexico's American Chamber of Commerce President Larry Rubin indicated in a press article published by Miami Herald that the United States accounts for about 85 percent of foreign investment in Mexico. About US $100 billion flowed south into Mexico during the Fox administration, and Rubin said the annual direct investment stayed fairly steady at around US$18 billion for most of that period. As of 2004 the US had 5.3 million Mexican undocumented workers, accounting for 57 % of the total estimated illegal alien population of 9.3 million. Source: January 20, 2006 report presented to the 109th Congress by K. Larry Storrs, Latin American Affairs Specialist, Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division.

Origin of Security Corner

Worked for the American Embassy in Mexico for exactly 28 years. Received 4 Meritorious Honor Awards and the highest distinction the U. S. Secret Service may confer to a foreign national. Also diplomas for outstanding service by the Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Military Attache, etc. Please visit page entitled SECTIONS. Enjoy Security Corner's PRESIDENTIAL GALLERY.

I've publicly displayed Amb. Davidow's letter of gratitude for the services I provided  the Mission and my last Personnel Efficiency Report, issued by the Agent in Charge, Diplomatic Security Service at the time I took early retirement based on my performance.

I believe my RECORD  speaks for itself. Using this background, when my contract with the United Nations ended in 2003, I decided to share with everyone what I had learned in what is now 34 years in Public Safety and Crime Prevention. This is how Security Corner was created. To be of service to everyone, at NO COST.  

Finances

From the start, this column has been financed in its entirety with indemnity pay I received from U. S. taxpayers money through the State Department when my position was abolished as result of budget reduction programs. Mexican Congress approved of it via diplomatic channels. The idea is to continue to allow readers to share their Travel experiences with you and serve as point of contact with police and other authorities in Mexico when and if they ever require it.

Daily Operation 

To have an efficient operation, Security Corner requires meticulous DAILY attention. Sometimes I put in up to 12 hours, to include weekends to canvass useful materials, select unbiased news, prepare draft reports, update articles, reply to readers, etc. More than HAPPY to do this.

Readers Input

Daily I receive input by readers. These include students and teachers at several universities recognized for their academic prestige in the United States. Two Law Schools have established contact in order to seek assistance with programs. All of them encourage me, with no exception, to continue with this quest to be of assistance to the International Community. I nor those behind Security Corner have commercial, political or any other interests. Our only concern is your personal protection. Not courting for a job either. 

Offer to the Mexican Government  

We all agree this is a true community service, which is now being offered to the Mexican Government as a serious long-term work project. It's been well received mostly by Secretariats of Tourism. The records of visitors who come to Mexico and without any incidents are impressive. Obviously, there is always a minority who will encounter problems. 

Enhancing your View 

Security Corner offers all options to include comments by readers of major newspapers in Canada, U. S. and the United Kingdom promoting or warning against visiting Mexico, while that process can be more alienating. Expatriates are welcome in Mexico with open arms. Most of them while they visit stay OUT OF TROUBLE. Out of 55 Pro and Con comments, I chose these lines by Cathy, writing from Toronto to CBC:

.."Unfortunately Americans and now Canadians too, have a bad reputation for being rude and disrespectful when abroad. I witnessed this firsthand on my latest trip to Puerto Vallarta just 2 weeks ago. Beautiful btw…. Bottom line is….if you’re looking for trouble, you’re bound to find it, whether it’s in Mexico, Canada, USA or elsewhere. Especially if you’re loud, arrogant and/or think you’re above the local laws just because “I AM CANADIAN…”

EDITORIAL

Springbreakers

FOR THE RECORD, INFORMATION PUBLISHED ONLY A YEAR AGO (2006):

Mexico's Drug War Erupts Bloodily in Acapulco 2/3/06 ..
 

Mexicans have become used to the bloody "ajuste de cuentas" (settling of accounts) among drug trafficking organizations attempting to consolidate power in the wake of the Mexican government's latest crackdown on the trade. In an unintended, but no longer surprising, consequence of Mexican drug law enforcement, the border cities of the north have seen unprecedented violence in the past year, with more than 1600 dying in the battle of the so-called cartels last year and 144 since the new year began, according to the Mexican National Human Rights Commission. But it wasn't supposed to happen in sunny Acapulco, far from the border on Mexico's southern Pacific Coast. Still, the faded but reviving tourist destination found itself wracked by dramatic and murderous violence during late January. In a one-week period ending January 27, at least 11 people were killed, 10 wounded, and 12 under arrest, according to Mexican press reports compiled by New Mexico State University's Frontier News Service. The week was marked by grenade attacks, pitched battles, and hours-long, siren-laced street chases, and was a loud challenge to both local and national law enforcement in the final months of the administration of President Vicente Fox.