Mexico arrests Cancun mayor on drug charges By GABRIEL ALCOCER | Published: 05/26/10 at 1:03 AM | Updated: 05/26/10 at 3:22 AM Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/05/26/mexico-arrest-cancun-mayor-on-drug-charges/#ixzz0p2KkV4Ji
The sad thing is I'm not even sure what to think! Greg seems capable of doing such things, but then again opposing political parties also seem capable of arresting him on false charges just to get him out of the running for governor. All I know is that the streets he paved during his time as mayor usually just made the streets worse, and the whole "moving the city hall to the Ombligo Verde" nonsense was very fishy.
From the U.S. Embassy: "U.S. Consulate Merida, Mexico Warden Message – Demonstrations – Cancun, Mexico Dated: May 26, 2010 The U.S. Consulate in Merida has learned that a group is planning to hold demonstrations in Cancun on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. According to media reports, the mayor of Cancun, who is also running for governor of the state of Quintana Roo, was arrested late on May 25, 2010 and his campaign organizers and supporters have called for demonstrations to take place at various locations in the city of Cancun. Please note the locations mentioned up to this point in time are not in or near the hotel zone where most American tourists in Cancun stay. Demonstrations may take place over the next couple of days. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. You should avoid them if at all possible. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to what the local news media has to say. It is illegal in Mexico for foreigners to participate in demonstrations. If you take part in one, you may be arrested. This warden message expires on Friday, May 28, 2010. You can stay in touch and get updates by checking the Consulate website, found here: Citizen Services - U.S. Consulate Merida, Mexico. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's website, Welcome to Travel.State.Gov, where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. The U.S. Consulate also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A safe trip abroad", which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. If you don't have internet access, we have a call center for updates--1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. HOW TO CONTACT CONSULATE MERIDA You may email us (meridacons@state.gov) or call the Consulate at: 011-52-999-942-5700 (direct dial from the U.S.) 202-250-3711 (Vonage dialing from the U.S.) 01-999-942-5700 (dialing from within Mexico), ext. 5722, 5723, or 5752 942-5700 (dialing from within Merida) 011-52-999-942-5758 (fax dialing from the U.S.) In the case of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen outside of normal business hours, please call the switchboard number above to be connected to the duty officer. Address: U.S. Consulate Merida Calle 60 No. 338-K x 29 y 31 Col. Alcala Martin Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050 Driving Directions (Click Here) For a Google Map (Click Here) Note: For better results, be sure to toggle between "Map, Satellite & Terrain" views at the top-right of the map as well as the "More" button. CONSULAR AGENCY CANCUN (Plaza Caracol , second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico). The Consular Agency in Cancun is normally open for walk-in services Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is recommended you call ahead. To gain entry to the Plaza Caracol mall, where most stores do not open until 10:00am, please use the main door near Starbucks or the side door which faces the hotel side of the street. 011-52-998-883-0272 (direct dial from the U.S.) 202-640-2511 (Vonage dialing from the U.S.) 01-998-883-0272 (dialing from outside Cancun but within Mexico) 883-0272 (dialing from within Cancun) 011-52-998-883-1373 (fax dialing from the U.S.) E-mail: cancunagency@gmail.com For a Google Map (Click Here) Note: For better results, be sure to toggle between "Map, Satellite & Terrain" views at the top-right of the map as well as the "More" button. In the case of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen occurring after close of business, please call the Merida switchboard number to be connected to the duty officer. CONSULAR AGENCY COZUMEL (Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th Avenue) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico). The Consular Agency in Cozumel is normally open for walk-in services Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is recommended you call ahead. 011-52-987-872-4574 (direct dial from the U.S.) 202-459-4661 (Vonage dialing from the U.S.) 01-987-872-4574 (dialing from outside Cozumel but within Mexico) 872-4574 (dialing from within Cozumel) Fax dialing from the US: 011-52-987-872-6662 E-mail: usgov@cozumel.net or usca@cozumel.net For a Google Map (Click Here) Note: For better results, be sure to toggle between "Map, Satellite & Terrain" views at the top-right of the map as well as the "More" button. In the case of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen occurring outside of normal business hours, please call the Merida switchboard number to be connected to the duty officer. CONSULAR AGENCY PLAYA DEL CARMEN ("The Palapa," Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico). The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen is open for business Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please make an appointment by calling the office phone during normal office hours or send an email to playausca@gmail.com containing information about the service you require, your contact information and a preferred time for your appointment within normal office hours. Emergency cases are accepted as walk-ins. 011-52-984-873-0303 (direct dial from the U.S.) 202-370-6708 (Vonage dialing from the U.S.) 01-984-873-0303 (dialing from outside Playa Del Carmen but within Mexico) 011-52-984-873-0481 (fax dialing from the U.S.) Email: playausca@gmail.com For a Google Map (Click Here) Note: For better results, be sure to toggle between "Map, Satellite & Terrain" views at the top-right of the map as well as the "More" button. In the case of a life or death emergency involving a U.S. citizen occurring outside of normal business hours, please call the Merida switchboard number to be connected to the duty officer. This email is UNCLASSIFIED."
Interesting news, but given we are coming up to elections who knows whether there is any foundation in the allegations or it's simply an election ploy by rival parties with connections. Anyone who has lived here long enough knows that being the Mayor brings such allegations and smear campaigns every time. Mayorship also brings a once in a lifetime opportunity to benefit financially from corruption. They're all as bad as each other. As an expat here I can neither vote them in, nor vote them out. We cant take part in political demonstrations either. It's Mexico, we have no say. Whatever will be, will be. It's none of our business.
I agree with Steve on all points except one. While we can never know if the allegations or true or created by those in opposition, nor can we vote or participate in any actions, it is our business in that our life and livelihoods are affected by the event. I think it's important for all residents to be aware of what's going on, even if we can't make a change. Our Mexican partners (and the future voters that are our children) have a big stake in this too and discussion and debate of political topics is going to play a role in our lives. How we share this information with our kids is tricky, in fact, one of the toughest roles we have as parents of children living in Mexico. They may be too young to understand now, but it's their future and we will have to be able to help them grasp what is happening as they get older and become more exposed. Just walking into an Oxxo the kids see the horrible front pages of the newspapers. As much as I try to shield Max, he sees them and asks about them. "What did that guy do? Why is he dead? Is he the really bad guy? Is he going to steal our car?" are the typical questions I get while waiting in line to buy milk. In the near future the questions will get tougher as he begins to understand the headlines. Most of us (or many of us) work in the tourism industry and any negative news like this affects what we do. So, Steve, I agree with you and am not arguing, just saying that it is our business too, just frustrating to not have any kind of control or say in the matter, nor any idea of what the truth is.
Hey Jim, I have sense enough to know not to participate in any anti gov't demonstration. But as a foreignor, are we not allowed to participate in anything that could be called a demonstration, political, gov't or otherwise. I don't even remember what the thing was but maybe 3 years ago I may have gone, with 3 Mexicans, dressed all in white, to the extent possible. We started on Chichen Itza, near Bonampak, walked down Bonampak to close to Tulum and that was it? Bottom line - was I at risk, had I actually been there? It was some anti violence thing called La Paz I think
