25 replies to this topic

[mexart]

I'm seeing vague references to what happened at the May Masscre. This must be the 18 bodies found on the road to Chapala. But now I notice a fund for impacted families. The conclusion to draw is that the 18 killed were local to lakeside. IS THAT CORRECT? I went back to NOB on the same day the discovery hit the papers but have not heard much since other even more grisly stories kicked that one of page one. What is the complete story and where could I find it? I'm not intertested in this for lurid reasons but am curious if there has been a local impact beyond real economic impact. I also read the USA Today story whcih was heart wrenching given the mention of the kidnapped/killed kid from SJC. Were there more? Has it affected the mood of the community? What can be/is being done to help the situation?

[Tom L]

Yes, that is correct, the 18 were people that were local to Lakeside and they were mostly young people who had nothing to do with drugs. They were taken at random after dark and the local people are still in shock. There were actually more kidnappings but some managed to escape, -thank God. And this has had a big impact on the community, if you notice the streets are quiet after dark and business is down as well.
As for what is being done to help the situation, we now have the army and the state police in this area and they have made a big difference, catching some individuals, busting some safe houses and meth labs and hopefully they will continue to make a difference.
It has been a difficult time for us...

[carib]

Yes, that is correct, the 18 were people that were local to Lakeside and they were mostly young people who had nothing to do with drugs. They were taken at random after dark and the local people are still in shock. There were actually more kidnappings but some managed to escape, -thank God. And this has had a big impact on the community, if you notice the streets are quiet after dark and business is down as well.
As for what is being done to help the situation, we now have the army and the state police in this area and they have made a big difference, catching some individuals, busting some safe houses and meth labs and hopefully they will continue to make a difference.
It has been a difficult time for us...

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think all of the 18 victims were from the lakeside area. The area is very quiet and the autorities are doing a great job.

[simpsca]

I didn't hear that all the victims were from lakeside but most of them were. More than four taken off the street in San Juan Cosala and several off the malecon in Ajijic, four off the trail that leads up to the waterfalls in broad day light - and that's just what I know about first hand. Yes, many families I know personally are grieving at the loss of their children.

[Bisbee Gal]

Best to go to www.guadalajarareporter.com and get the facts. I've been NOB since mid April (returning next week to Ajijic) and found that I could buy a one-month subscription online for just 4 bucks which also lets you look at the archived stories. There is also an option at their website for a one-day freebie subscription.

[evanseva5]

Other sources USA press state, 12 escaped while their capor slept deemed to be knocked out of drugs.they sought shelter at many homes, before a kind housewife took them in. They have been granted immediate political asylum because heir ID were taken.the slaughtered by chainsaws were between 15- 18 young people. It was hard to tell because the bodies were badly mutilated. Also some bodies were refrigerated at a Safe Haven, Drug House in Riberas. So here are peices to put togther.

Didn't the Police Chief report to us there are 34 people missing from Lakeside at our last meeting with hime. It is hard to get a full picture of violence at Lakeside due to censorship on some sites I hope the moderator will let my post through.

[Tom L]

I beleive that you are right in that not all of them were from Lakeside, but I think most of them were. - They haven't been able to ID all the bodies yet, right?

[Alex]

The complete story is still being written. So far, six peple have been arrested and charged with the kidnapping of 12 people in Tala, some 50km from here. They claim a separate gangster cell is responisble for the killings of 18 people in the Lakeside area. There is ample evidence that they are telling the truth. Three gangster "safehouses" have been discovered in the Chapala area and the north shore is full of cops of all kinds (local, state and federal) trying to track down the killers. The police chief has stated that they are folllowing leads developed from the safehouse and hope to make arrests soon. Although life continues pretty much normal during the day, there is a voluntary curfew in effect during the night. Restaurants and bars close early and the streets are deserted at night.

[Mad_Max]

Other sources USA press state, 12 escaped while their capor slept deemed to be knocked out of drugs.they sought shelter at many homes, before a kind housewife took them in. They have been granted immediate political asylum because heir ID were taken.the slaughtered by chainsaws were between 15- 18 young people. It was hard to tell because the bodies were badly mutilated. Also some bodies were refrigerated at a Safe Haven, Drug House in Riberas. So here are peices to put togther.

Didn't the Police Chief report to us there are 34 people missing from Lakeside at our last meeting with hime. It is hard to get a full picture of violence at Lakeside due to censorship on some sites I hope the moderator will let my post through.

Of those that were held hostage at Tala, two were found murdered in El Arenal. http://www.notisiste...icias/?p=493796

[evanseva5]

The USA press has pretty good coverage of this event. In general it to picks up only the worst crimes involving multiple deaths closer to the border. what is happening in vrea Cruz seems a black out as three more journalist murdered there. Google, "Borderland Beat" for decent web site of Mexico's violence. Recommend book or Kindle if you have it called "El Narco' by Ioan Grillo. The better informed, the better decisions you can make about the quality of your life at Lakeside, safety or if it time to leave.

[Alex]

The USA press has pretty good coverage of this event. In general it to picks up only the worst crimes involving multiple deaths closer to the border. what is happening in vrea Cruz seems a black out as three more journalist murdered there. Google, "Borderland Beat" for decent web site of Mexico's violence. Recommend book or Kindle if you have it called "El Narco' by Ioan Grillo. The better informed, the better decisions you can make about the quality of your life at Lakeside, safety or if it time to leave.

Grillo knows his stuff. Here's a recent article on the history Los Zetas and how they changed the game.

http://www.msnbc.msn..._news-americas/

[manny]

john gibler wrote 2 books. one is called "to die in mexico" you can hear him lecture on youtube. no you wont get local specifics, but he explains the complexity of mexico. its a clear overview of a complicated situation. he works w/mexican journalists & lectures in english & spanish. this may help us put the pieces together, fill in the blanks. (there are several john gibler videos on youtube, listen to one where the sound is of good quality).

[mexart]

To me that seems like the worst news possible. What is the ex=pat community doing to help the families who lost members? Or is the full story being kept hush hush til the narcos responsible are caught?

[bournemouth]

To me that seems like the worst news possible. What is the ex=pat community doing to help the families who lost members? Or is the full story being kept hush hush til the narcos responsible are caught?

Read this thread which is currently above your posts:

http://www.chapala.c...showtopic=36289

[Bisbee Gal]

This site is very useful; it sifts through rumors and provides info on what the authorities are doing.
http://www.csichapala.com/

And lately, the Chapala Government website is being updated more often and they are translating some of their postings.
http://www.chapala.gob.mx/

[evanseva5]

Mexico does not have a free press, understandble when it is ranked the most dangerous country in the world for journalist. Please moderator, let this post through, it is fact. I commend the brave mexican journalist who risk their lives o bring us the news.

[slainte39]

Mexico does not have a free press, understandble when it is ranked the most dangerous country in the world for journalist. Please moderator, let this post through, it is fact. I commend the brave mexican journalist who risk their lives o bring us the news.

Which is it? not a free press or journalists who risk their lives to bring us the news. Can't be both. I opt for the latter.
Not a free press implies China like control of the news.

[Wildrose]

Which is it? not a free press or journalists who risk their lives to bring us the news. Can't be both. I opt for the latter.
Not a free press implies China like control of the news.

If journalists can't report the news without a high risk of torture and death, it is NOT a free press. A truly free press implies that journalists are free to report the news and that the journalists remain free (out of prison) and alive after reporting. In Mexico, although a free press exists in theory (ie it is not against the law to report the news), the government is either unwilling or unable to ensure the existence of a free press.

There is the law and there is reality. In Mexico, as in many other countries, the law and reality are not the same.

[mortsahl]

I didn't hear that all the victims were from lakeside but most of them were. More than four taken off the street in San Juan Cosala and several off the malecon in Ajijic, four off the trail that leads up to the waterfalls in broad day light - and that's just what I know about first hand. Yes, many families I know personally are grieving at the loss of their children.

That is what you know about "first hand" ... so you witnessed these kidnappings?

[Canamex]

That is what you know about "first hand" ... so you witnessed these kidnappings?

Ah, the old "tree falling in a forest conundrum" - what does it matter how many were from Lakeside, they were all victims, all tragically mutilated and their lives ended.