Women: safety and security in Ciudad Juarez

[Mobius 0]

Saludos todos:

I don't want to sound paranoid, but I need some feedback regarding safety and security in Ciudad Juarez.

My K-1 fiance (who is a Mexican man) spoke by phone to a Mexican police officer who lives in Juarez. He has advised us that I should not go there to accompany my fiance and that Ciudad Juarez is very dangerous for women. I have been following the news, and yes, it's terrible and violent especially for the locals. During the process/interview, I could just wait in El Paso until he is approved. We would just make sure he has more than what is required in paperwork ahead of time, so he won't need my assistance.

If you are a woman, how did you feel while staying there? If you are a VIP (by profession/economic status) did you have to hire security? I know that sounds weird, but read the news and you will see the drug war is alive and well in Ciudad Juarez. http://juarez.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=83041

Thanks, CM B)

[TBoneTX 46,273]

Your very good question is one of prudence, not paranoia.

Perhaps you'll get knowledgeable replies if you also post this in the Latin American subforum (way down the master list of VJ forums).

Edited July 19, 2008 by TBoneTX

[nm123 0]

I am a woman and will accompany my fiance to CDJ but will wait outside the consulate. I read the news about the drug wars, murders of police chiefs, and how some of them cross the border to request amnesty... but I am not worried. If I were visiting shady places and were out alone at night, it would be different. I think as long as you are aware of your surroundings, don't wear flashy clothes & jewelry, and don't put yourself in bad situations, you'll probably be fine. If you are very worried but still want to be in Juarez, just stay at the hotel and don't leave. I also like your idea of staying in El Paso while your fiance is having his interview, because if the consular needs additional information/documentation from you, he'll get a pass to come back the next day (when you can then accompany him if necessary). But remember that even though it has a bad reputation, there are Americans who live in Juarez and cross to El Paso every single day, and vice versa.

[TBoneTX 46,273]

Sensible points by nm123. Mexico is a third-world country, and bad stuff can happen there, but it can happen anywhere. I have crossed every Texas/Mexico crossing at least once, mostly by foot (collecting information for a tourist book), and I was advised early in the process to phone the local CBP (Customs & Border Protection) station a day or two before my planned arrival, to explain that I would be making a tourist visit, and to ask whether anything unusual was going on of which I should be made aware. You can make the call to El Paso CBP and specify that you're interested in the way to -- and the area around -- the Cd. Juarez consulate during daylight hours. Here is the link to their contact information:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contact...rts/tx/2402.xml

I will say that on my visits, I always stayed in the tourist areas, and only during daylight. Even in Nuevo Laredo (beautiful, clean city!), I felt exceptionally safe. I'm a guy, of course, but I stood out as a gringo tourist.

Let us know if you find this helpful!

[nm123 0]

I also visit immigrate2us.net and they mentioned that women shouldn't carry purses; just carry your money and important things in your pockets. And the only other time your fiance would be carrying anything more than his wallet would be his interview at the consulate, but there are a lot of people there and it isn't a terrible and dangerous part of Juarez. I'm not sure if you've seen this yet, but here's a slideshow of Juarez:

[Mobius 0]

Thank you all so much for your insights. I am going to talk more with this policeman and find out which areas to avoid and maybe he can give me a phone number where I can find out if there are any warnings closer to the interview date. Brazen shoot outs during daylight hours between drug gangs in commercial populated areas is not something I want to catch a bullet from. see what just happened in Cualican: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,3290733.story

[guerita7 0]

I accompanied my husband to Ciudad Juarez for his CR-1 interview on July 10th. Juarez is definitely famous for drug violence, but some friends who live and work there as missionaries (Americans) told us that if you don't venture into dangerous neighborhoods or get involved in drug activity it's not likely that you'll have problems.

But, it is important as others have told you that if you go you're aware of who is around you and what they are doing. I agree with the recommendation to not carry a purse or wear flashy jewelry.

We got a recommendation for a hotel close to the consulate that we found to be safe, with good service, and reasonable prices. It's the Hotel Colonial, their website is www.hotelescolonial.com They offer free transportation to the Consulate every morning, which you can also use to go get the medical exam taken care of (the clinic is right next to the Consulate). It's not far to walk to the consulate, 10 minutes or so, but it's safer to use their van service and go back to the hotel in taxi. The taxis there are expensive for Mexico, they charged us 50 pesos to take us back to the hotel, and they'll charge you at least 500 pesos to take you across the border. But, unless you drive there's not much else you can do. There are other hotels on the same street as the Consulate, but I'm glad we didn't stay there because there are always so many people around.

When is your fiancee's interview?

Let me know if you have any more questions!!