Ask Lemmy

I think it largely depends on where you are and who you associate with. I also think cartel violence isn't what it used to be. I'm not aware of any reputable gangs here where I live, but we do hear news about the shit cartels pull occasionally, like for example the narcobloqueos where they hijack a truck, park it across on the highway and set it on fire to cause a diversion or things like that.

Overall it's very rare to hear about them taking it out on the general population. There's an unspoken rule not to mess with the innocent although there are dangerous states like Sinaloa or areas of Michoacán where it goes down when the military intervenes. That's when the gloves come off and they fight back by all means necessary, including using terror tactics for the government to back off.

But besides the cartel violence, kidnappings are what scare me the most. There have been many, many cases of people being held & maimed for ransom or simply disappeared without a trace, although I'm not sure how much of that can be attributed to the cartels because they target journalists. It's undeniably a serious problem for many folks who are at risk by association, proximity or happenstance. Thankfully anti-kidnapping legislation and its enforcement has been tightened up in recent years.

Despite all that, these things are largely in the periphery in our day to day meaning I don't live in fear. I generally live carefree and comfortably without denying that I do know some folks who have had scary episodes with organized crime in the past. But it's quite surprising how much more peaceful our everyday life is than what you're told abroad, even if it's something we struggle with in the grand scheme of things.

Still pretty bad according to my mexican friends, I wouldn't go as a tourist personally, this is the only time ive seen the take that Mexico is safe and nice now. (the parts for rich ppl to vacation have never been an issue) Btw the first gen mexicans I know are prob the most against illegal immigration because of their experiences going back across the border. (for context, I am not on their side, mfs are just the lucky ones who were born here) They all have relatives in cartels/gangs but not out of choice, every story ive heard just sounds extremely sus, even when its fun, theyll be like yeah nah theyd rob you tho dont go there.

Basically look up best vacation spot, highest income area in mexico and youll be fine.