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Editorial See other Editorial Articles Title: Mexico: safer than Canada Mexico: safer than Canada Aug 27th 2010, 14:36 by T.W. | MEXICO CITY OK, so the headline is a bit of a fib. But a report on Mexico’s security situation has painted a more detailed picture than the one we hear about in the news most of the time. When I told friends I was moving to Mexico City, some asked if I would be provided with a bodyguard (no). Business travellers are thinking twice about coming, according to chambers of commerce here. But a detailed breakdown of violence released this week shows that, if you pick your state, you’re as safe—or safer—than in any other North American country. Mexico’s overall homicide rate is 14 per 100,000 inhabitants: fearsomely high (and possibly an underestimate, given the drugs cartels' habit of hiding bodies in old mines), but quite a lot lower than its great Latin rival Brazil, whose rate is more like 25. As the chart below shows, Mexico’s death rate is bumped up by extraordinarily high levels of violence in four states: Chihuahua (home of Ciudad Juárez, widely labelled the world’s most murderous city), Durango, Sinaloa and Guerrero (see p.29 of this document). Of the rest, some are blissfully serene: Yucatán, where tourists flock to swim with whale sharks and clamber over Chichen Itzá, has a murder rate of 1.7—slightly lower than Canada’s average of 2.1. Before I am buried an avalanche of polite Canadian emails, I should acknowledge that comparing an entire country with one quiet state is hardly fair: there are no doubt parts of Canada where no-one has been so much as kicked in the shin for decades. But Mexico’s predicament is worth highlighting, because the extreme violence around its border with the United States colours people’s view of the rest of the country, though much of it is pretty quiet. A third of Mexico’s states hover around 5 murders per 100,000, about the same rate as the United States. Another third are around 8 per 100,000, similar to Thailand, for instance. A handful of states have rates in the teens—like Russia, say—and a couple are in the low twenties, a little lower than Brazil’s average. Then you have the chaos of the four very violent states, which sends the average soaring. The carnage in Mexico’s badlands is not to be underestimated, and nor does it seem to be getting any better. Business travellers should certainly watch out in places such as Juárez and, these days, even in cities such as Monterrey. But people doing business south of the Rio Grande should remember that, even on average, Mexico is a less murderous country than places such as Brazil, and that once you avoid the hotspots, it’s downright safe. * Recommend (109) * E-mail * Share o Facebook o LinkedIn o Twitter o Delicious o Digg o more... * Print * Permalink Readers' comments The Economist welcomes your views. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers. Review our comments policy. You must be logged in to post a comment. Please login or sign up for a free account. Sort: * Oldest first * Newest first * Readers' most recommended * 1 * 2 * >> * Last 1-20 of 35 eric meyer wrote: Aug 27th 2010 3:17 GMT All four states along the U.S. border have incredibly high homicide rates, eh? What an incredible coincidence! Here's a fun idea for a project: a choropleth map showing the homicide rates by state for Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. I wonder if someone's already done it? Recommend (36) Permalink Report abuse Kairos60 wrote: Aug 27th 2010 3:22 GMT I saw another article in another publication with the same information. I guess talking points are being passed by someone to stress that Mexico is not so bad as it looks. The problem is that it is as bad as it looks. Besides the drug violence in the northern border cities, Mexico City has the dubious honor of being the kidnap capital of the world. Extortion, murder, rape, burglary, carjacking, pick pocketing, kidnap are all rampant and the numbers reported are way below the real cases because people in Mexico simply will not trust the police. Police corruption is legendary and real and the country seems to be going down the route of chaos. Yes, as the U.S. State Department website says "millions of Americans go to Mexico for business and tourism every year", but who wants to be the next kidnap victim or get caught in a crossfire? The statistics do not reflect the lawlessness rampant in Mexico. Recommend (37) Permalink Report abuse Stuck in AZ wrote: Aug 27th 2010 4:27 GMT What is so very sad is that a country comprised of wonderful people is being colored by the actions of a wanton group of thugs. It is not going to be easy, but the Mexican federales need to figure out how to eliminate the drug gangs. Without going into too much depth, it will start with a more equal distribution of the immense wealth that is held by such a small percentage of the population. There is a history in this country of poverty and uprising to combat the inequality, that eventually leads to increased crime, remember Pancho Villa? Recommend (16) Permalink Report abuse Texas45 wrote: Aug 27th 2010 5:05 GMT Unfortunately the reported data is but a small slice of the real carnage that goes on. My work takes me often to the Northern boarder cities and although the violence is very isolated, you can on any given day be caught up in the collateral violence even if not the primary target. I'll take Canada any day of the week! Recommend (23) Permalink Report abuse agustinbg wrote: Aug 27th 2010 5:10 GMT Thank you for pointing what only some Mexicans know. Being painted with the same broad brush of violence is probably hurting Mexico almost as much as the cartels. Mexico City, which has about the same murder rate as Los Angeles, is actually a great place to live and work. While the other North American capitals were sweltering with 100F+ degree heat this summer, we never got above 85. And then there's the food, the people, and the culture... Recommend (34) Permalink Report abuse Orcus wrote: Aug 27th 2010 5:17 GMT Canadamaxxxxxx ... :D Recommend (11) Permalink Report abuse Go Go wrote: Aug 27th 2010 6:37 GMT Come on guys! Let's give the Mexicans a break for once! They did the responsible thing like reporting their cases of swine flu early but got nothing but grief from doing so. I remember that and I will remember this. Recommend (27) Permalink Report abuse Elartesano wrote: Aug 27th 2010 6:46 GMT It is well known around the world that Mexico is an insecure place to live. The biggest insecurity producer the country has is the one related to drug cartels, bunch of thugs "exporting" drugs to the US and Canada making big bucks, killing people and paying large bribes to government officials so they can work without any problem. The core of this insecurity problem are both the US and Canada. While the cost of producing a ton of marijuana is, lets say, 10,000 dlls, when they "export" it to the other side of the boarder (US and Canada where the real demand is), thugs get paid 10 times the cost of production, so they get $ 900,000. Of this nine hundred thousand dollars, the half is used for bribing high rank government oficialls, police officers, etc. And as a result the thugs get 450,000 dollars for utility. Isn't this business the most lucrative businesses on earth? it truly is. So where is the problem?, in the US and Canada, where people use this drugs, and are willing to pay any cost for it. What is the solution? stop the huge demand on drugs, or just legalize production and distribution in those counties so that Mexico doesn't suffer the consequences (insecurity) produced by a bunch of junkies living in first world economies. The more money thugs can get in this kind of business, competition arises, they fight for the control of the drug market, and more people die. Recommend (51) Permalink Report abuse Johnqq wrote: Aug 27th 2010 7:45 GMT A few years ago, two innocent Canadian women (by all accounts that were revealed) were falsely accused of murder in the Yucatan that was professionally done, and not by two female tourists from northern Canada. This case, of course, was never solved, but everyone but the Mexican police knew who did it. This kind of performance does not make me comfortable travelling; especially with regard to the Mexican police. Recommend (17) Permalink Report abuse karenykarl wrote: Aug 27th 2010 8:04 GMT This article is absolutely true. I live in a small central Baja fishing village for half the year, and there's considerably more threat of crime in my summer city of Eugene, Oregon than there is in Ejido San Lucas. We drive through Tijuana without stopping, as we have had our car stolen there from a locked hotel parking lot with the assistance of the local police. But the threat of narcoviolence never enters my mind when I travel down there. Too much news coverage emphasizes the man bites dog aspect of the human condition, and some of the news coverage in the United States appeared to be partially inspired by defense contractors hungry for a piece of the improved border fence. As a rule, traveling anywhere in the world requires using a few simple rules of common sense. Don't go into a ghetto at 3AM seeking sex or drugs, and be alert to your surroundings in general. Recommend (17) Permalink Report abuse Philip 100 wrote: Aug 27th 2010 8:08 GMT With all due respect, I live in Toronto, Canada and have travelled all over Canada and Mexico. I feel much safer in Canada than Mexico. It is not only murder you have to worry about in Mexico. It is people begging in the street and following you. People snathing money from your hand or your purse and running away. People holding you up at night if you drive a nice car. None of this happens in Canada or if it happens it is extremely rare. Recommend (26) Permalink Report abuse giles slade wrote: Aug 27th 2010 8:30 GMT the Mexican border areas ARE the worst place for drug cartel violence, but let's face it 28,000 people are known to have died violently since 2006. There is a lot of non-fatal crime in the country and there is revolution ongoing in Chiapas. In fact, 28,000 death is a conservative number since the drug cartels do have a habit of hiding the dead in abandoned mines. Vacations and travel in Mexico are extremely cheap right now and you can probably find a comfortable resort in Baja or Puerto Vallarta for several nights (3 or 4) for less than $400 including airfare. PleasantVacations.com specializes in just such deals. But you don't really want to go to Mexico right now. Certainly, if you're vacationing with kids, you won't want to take them to Mexico since if things goes sour, they will go could go sour in a very bad way, very fast. Instead, buy the ex-wife and her best-friend some bargain tickets to a swell hotel in C.J. Of course, nothing bad will probably come of it. But, if you're like me, you buy lottery tickets more for the fantasy than the big win. Unnecessary travel to Mexico these days, is exactly that, a lottery ticket for the big chill. Recommend (15) Permalink Report abuse Veggo wrote: Aug 27th 2010 9:03 GMT A few observations: 1) The drug killings are principally among those in the business. If that's not your business, your risk is reduced to errant bullets. 2) I doubt that there are enough uncorruptable federales or potential recruits to achieve "victory" over the number of men willing to participate in the trade for the allure of otherwise unattainable wealth. The winning ratio is not there. 3) That Calderon is considering a serious debate about legalization of drugs to take away the profitability and thus the carnage is pragmatic and smart. Some will call it acquiescing to thugs, but even former President Fox has done a 180 on this topic. As should the U.S. The American policy toward drugs is literally destroying other countries, especially Colombia and now Mexico, and it is extraordinarily selfish not to reconsider policies that are tried and true failures. 4) For decades there was an unwritten code of honor among cops and robbers in Mexico not to use guns, similar to England. The easy access to American weapons has changed that calculus, and adds a second dimension to America's culpability. 5)There is nothing safe about Mexico City. The old fashioned crooks will steal your personal posessions and car in a nanosecond, but they are the nice, cowardly crooks who won't harm your person. Recommend (26) Permalink Report abuse Guero999 wrote: Aug 27th 2010 9:05 GMT Two years ago, while I was living happily ever after in Morelos, Mexico, my two sons in Vancouver both witnessed drug murders. One found a body in front of his house and the other saw the gunfight from his workplace. Funny how no one at that time ever said you shouldn't visit ALL OF CANADA because there are drug murders there. Also extremely funny how people who've bought the conventional wisdom about ALL OF MEXICO get so adamant that they have NOT been hoodwinked by the media. Recommend (24) Permalink Report abuse iamus wrote: Aug 27th 2010 9:34 GMT Having had the opportuity to live in La Paz, Mx last year (July - October 2009). I can state from first hand experience that to generalize about Mexico does it a terrible injustice. The people and merchants were extremely positive to this blue eyed gringo. As a foreigner I found the city as safe as other cities I have stayed in from Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing and San Diego or Las Vegas. Being aware of your surroundings and being prudent (don't flash the cash and jewelry), is part of the traveling anywhere in the world and helps immeasruably. Understanding cultural customs helps you to blend in. Corruption is prevalent throughout the world for lowly paid civil service workers - if it's safety you want stay home and lock the door - and there still won't be any gurantees - anywhere. "Just Passing Through" Recommend (24) Permalink Report abuse MRHass wrote: Aug 27th 2010 9:45 GMT Who was it who said, "there are lies, damn lies, and then there are statistics"? That about sums up this article doesn't it? If you twist and pull numbers this way and that, they can be used to 'prove' anything you want them to prove. I live in a small town in Canada (perhaps 6,000 people) where we had a murder a few months back. It was an absolute shock and the result (apparently) of too much alcohol at a party but it left the town searching its collective memory to recall the last time there had been a murder here. Would there be any town in Mexico where one would feel as safe as I do here? I doubt it. I've travelled extensively around the world, (over 40 countries in 4 continents at last count) over many many decades, but I've never been to Mexico and nor have I have any plans to go. I have too many friends in Canada who've been down there for winter holidays and come back with an assortment of horror stories. No thank you very much. I'll take Canada anytime and I'm sure most others would too, given a choice. Recommend (15) Permalink Report abuse kxprice wrote: Aug 27th 2010 10:57 GMT I agree with the basic premise of the article, but would add the the highways are extraordinarily dangerous after dark. Not only are there many animals, but road blocks, both official and unofficial, are common. Many areas of Mexico City (and other large cities) are "no-go" zones, and leaving an automobile on the street overnight is just asking for it to be stolen or vandalized. I have lived in Mexico over 40 years, and the situation today is worse than I have ever seen. Recommend (13) Permalink Report abuse Nirvana-bound wrote: Aug 28th 2010 1:59 GMT Hola Mexico! Let the truth be known, finally. Only the four states bordering the US are high risk areas in this land of lilting Mariachis, dazzling Sombreros & intoxicating Tequilla. Drug peddleing to the Gringos is what brought this misery on. Too bad they don't legalise drugs & clean the land of drug crimes & senseless drug-related violence & mayhem. Not just Mexico but the US would become a far safer, cleaner & healthier place to live in, if that were to transpire. BUt the powers-that-be walk around with eyes wide shut, unfortunately. Recommend (14) Permalink Report abuse robsa wrote: Aug 28th 2010 5:37 GMT No story on murder rates can be complete without reference to South Africa. Although police statistics are unreliable and hard to access, the number of murders each year seems to be around 15 000, against a population of 50 million (i.e 30 murder per 100 000 people). We (South Africa) do not have drug wars, we are relatively more wealthy with higher employment rates than many other African countries with lower murder rates, on the face of it we have a strong criminal justice system (although corruption and nepotism are rife). However, South Africa still seems to be the new murder capital of the world - not a statistic to be proud of. The crime rate is one of the major reasons for the emigration of skilled (mostly white) workers, seeking a safer lifestyle for them and their families. This is a huge burden for the economy to carry. Recommend (12) Permalink Report abuse Erick Enriquez wrote: Aug 28th 2010 6:06 GMT its not complicated, its a war between the most powerful drug cartels in america, and the main reasons for the lack of control is turf conflict among cartels and the government that doesnt know how to control this. for almost 80 years only one party has been in power: PRI. But since PAN, the opposition, has the presidential chair, theres been nothing but chaos and the organized crime getting more power. It is obvious that money laundry and drug trafficking between Mexico and the U.S. is concentrated in the border, which explains the Mexican "hotspots", but south U.S. authorities are not doing much about it either. Recommend (3)
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