Rosarito Beach mayor lashes out against 'slanted' media reports

Rosarito Beach Mayor Hugo Torres has penned an article entitled "Murder by Media: What Misleading News Coverage Is Doing to Mexico."

Torres, who is in the difficult position of guiding a city through exceedingly hard times because tourists have all but stopped visiting, has lashed out against the U.S. media for its largely "slanted" and "misleading" coverage.

He states that Rosarito Beach, a once-popular tourist destination in Baja California not far from the U.S.-Mexico border, is fighting two battles: one against organized crime (drug cartels) and another against "misleading media coverage that wrongly implies that much of Mexico is unsafe for visitors and residents, and which is devastating our economy."

While not singling out specific newspapers or TV news stations (click here for my story on CNN implying just that), Torres himself implies that many of the reports are "because sensationalism sells" or "from individuals or media outlets that have an agenda against Mexico and will publish anything to promote it."

The mayor clearly is frustrated and understandably so. Tourists have not been murdered by drug lords in his city, and they've not been targeted in other tourist destinations in Mexico. Yet all are suffering to some degree because of drug-related violence, occurring mostly in border towns and involving mostly rival cartel members.

Says Torres, "The reports often don't mention that while some law enforcement personnel have been killed, cartel members primarily are killing each other as it becomes harder for them to do business, as they fight each other for shrinking territories."

Interestingly, in a story in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's chief of intelligence, Anthony P. Placido, said the increased violence during the past year is actually a sign of success. Placido described the cartels as "wounded, vulnerable and dangerous."

The headline on that story was a quote from Illinois Sen. Richard J. Durbin: "Mexico and America are in this together," which referred to the insatiable demand for illegal drugs in the U.S., and the flow of weapons from the U.S. into Mexico and into the hands of the cartels.

In closing Torres makes what seems a reasonable request of reporters and prospective visitors: "Please talk to those who know the area firsthand--or visit yourself--to get an accurate picture."

--Pete Thomas

Photos: A deserted Rosarito Beach as photographed last month by Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times. In second photo the city's mayor, Hugo Torres, shakes hands with a citizen in  2008. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[DHO]

I get very upset at what I read in the American Press regarding Mexico, in particular. Rosarito Beach. Yes, there have been some serious issues regarding corrupt groups, but their quarrel is between themselves and it rarely spills over into the civilian section and when it does, it is just a person being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I see more problems in the daily newspapers stateside, such as daily carjacking, gang issues and murders just to name a few. I really think that all this hype about Mexico is more to do with selling papers than giving its readers the real information.

I have a home in Rosarito Beach and another home stateside. I have been coming to Rosarito since I was a teenager and have had my home here for over 30 years. In all that time, I have never encountered any problems. Maybe I was just lucky, but most of my friends feel the same way I do. SAFE.

I love the lifestyle, kick back and relaxing. Every time I travel from the states to Rosarito, I feel like a huge stone has been removed from my back and I slide right back into that relaxed feeling of being back in Mexico. Rosarito Beach is a great little seaside get away and offers everything that is imaginable, good restaurants, reasonable hotel rates, a great beach, terrific shopping (and with the peso being as it now is, shopping is a bargain) and most of all relaxation.

[Dr Sherri]

Hi Peter,
Rosarito is a separate city on the coast, miles from Tijuana. I have been living here since September, 2008 as the Executive Director of Sanoviv Medical Institute (www.Sanoviv.com). I can assure you that this city is not the “epicenter” of drug wars and crime as it is being portrayed by the news. The Mexican people here are very helpful and kind. The US government is giving this very large and beautiful country a bad name and an unfair rap.

For example, last week, my car broke down in the middle of a busy intersection at 6pm. No one honked or gave rude gestures as they drove by and many total strangers stopped to help. I doubt that would happen in the US. Notably, I was not robbed, shot at and no one tried to kidnap me.

Most people do not realize that Tijuana has a population of nearly 2.5 million. The News talks about “border towns” and people imagine a population of less than 200,000. They visualize a poor Mexican shanty town with streets resembling a “shoot out at the OK Corral.” Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Cities in the US that are similar in size to TJ include St Louis, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Miami. I am sure drug-related crimes and murders occur there every day. Does the News tell people to avoid Miami? Of course not. And one person reportedly shot and killed at a kiosk in Mexico City does not mean millions are at risk. That is unnecessary fear-mongering.

The crimes here truly are Mexican against Mexican. In 2008, nearly 30 million Americans safely crossed the border through San Ysidro. The “crimes” they were involved in were petty theft, fender benders and a few bar brawls.
I hope to see you soon!

[Jon K.]

While I find it a bit difficult to swallow Mayor Hugo Torres' words, since his community exists almost entirely off of tourism (What do you expect him to say? Remember the mayor from "Jaws"? The beaches are safe! The beaches are safe! It's a GREAT time to visit!), stilll from what I've read Torres' has worked hard to limit corruption in Rosarito's police force. And for that he should be given a lot of credit.

[Jon K.]

Dr Sherri,

According to a recent report that I saw, Mexico now leads the world in kidnaps per capita, outpacing places like Columbia and Uganda.

Mexico's three biggest industries are:

1. Oil
2. Tourism dollars (primarily American)
3. Legal immigrants and illegal aliens sending money from the United States to Mexico.

I believe what you are saying. I lived in Mexico City and Acapulco and, for the most part, had a great time and met a lot of great people, even if I had to pay my unfair share of bribes and get myself out of a handful of rather dangerous situations.

Right now, Mexico is addicted to America. This happens because of a corrupt government and an elite class that cares nothing about the lower classes.

Whenever anyone on this blog points out that this nonsense has been going on for far too long in Mexico, the response is an overly-defensive attack of "Oh yeah? Well there's crime in the United States too! People take drugs in the United States too!"

Umm... yeah, but not like Mexico.

Mexico has to get it's house in order. It's been 150 years now and that's long enough.

Right now Mexico is just begging to continue the status quo, but the status quo is not good enough.

If denying Mexico American tourist dollars is a precipitant to REAL and ENDURING reform in Mexico, then it will be the greatest gift the U.S. could ever give Mexico.

Mexico deserves better, but no one is going to save it. It's going to have to save itself.

[Marilyn K. Simon]

My husband and I have a beach front condo in a town just south of Rosarito, and a home in San Diego County. We try out best to be in Mexico as often as possible. We find that the people, the food, the weather, and the prices make Baja an ideal place to escape the economic tsunami facing the U.S. We love bringing guests to this paradise.

Rosarito is safer than ever since the launching of the Tourist Police Force, a group of attentive bilingual officers, trained especially to deal with tourists issues, In addition, the Tourist Attention Department, is available 24/7 and a fully bilingual Ombudsman is available for handing any incidents. No tourist has been affected by organized crime in the last 20 years.

[Melinda Bates]

My boyfriend and I have lived peacefully in Rosarito for three years now. We've never even been close to any violence. When we came, the corruption of the police was obvious, and we dreaded being stopped, but even that has been dealt with. The police are honest, we are never bothered, the shop keepers, restauranteurs, and spa services providers are VERY grateful for your business, and everything is MUCH more affordable here. We live right on the ocean in a house that would cost $10million up in Malibu, but was affordable to a person of modest means. You can't beat it!

There's not a city in America that doesn't have its own bad neighborhoods that most people know to stay away from - it's just the same here. This is a wonderful place, and we're so glad to live here.

[BeSafe]

Mexico is not a safe vacation destination period! According to the State Departments most recent update 32% of all non-natural deaths of U.S citizens outside this country occur in Mexico. You can not argue with these numbers. Many of these deaths are a direct result of poor or non existant safety standards inside the resorts. To read tragic Mexico vacation DEATH stories, many written by heartbroken family members as well as stories written by victims that "survived" their Mexico vacation go to:
WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM

[Luis]

I was just in Rosarito this past weekend and plan on attending the Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr. Fight at the old bullring in Playas on March 28th, 2009. I go to baja frequently, my parents have a place in Rosarito.

Let me give you the spring breaker perspective. We went to one of the barss on the strip in Rosarito. It was empty and our group of 5 ordered one round of beers and one round of tequila shots. To our dismay, the beers were at 4 bucks each and the shot of Sauza Tequila were 8 dollars each....remember the peso is at 15 to 1 and the place was empty (no eye candy, just a huge hollow dance bar with loud music - quite sad)

We gave the waiter a tongue lashing and he stated that their prices were set by the club....We paid - no tip and moved on. (Sorry vato but you are part of the problem)

Walked across the street to Don Piso, and bought our own beer, liters of tequila, for half the price of two rounds, and headed back to our place.

The point is this - we Americans need to stay away to hurt these clowns where it hurts in their pockets.

A beer in mexico should cost: no more than 20 pesos = 1.50 dollars (15 pesos to one dollar.)

A double shot of tequilla = Sauza, Hornitos, or the like should cost no more than

40 pesos = 2.75 dollars (15 pesos to the dollar)

Change your ways or perish.

[Michael Rosenberg]

It's primarily an 'American problem' that we Americans don't take primary responsibility for, or "be actually accountable to anyone" about. It's a 'Mexican problem' inasmuch as some of its citizens are victims of the violence caused by (1) America's thirst to buy illegal drugs; and (2) America supplying the guns needed to get those drugs through to us. If it weren't for this American problem with drugs, there would be no Mexican problem with drug-violence.

Mexican cartels, made up of a very small minority of the population, will pay-off anyone...or kill anyone if need be... to make billions of dollars (not millions or thousands---but billions)---showing a level of greed very familiar to America.

Americans in Mexico (tourists or people with homes there, etc.) are basically safer there than in most American cities, as they are neither the targets of the cartels nor are usually close to areas where drug transactions are occurring. Statistics overwhelmingly bear this fact out.

But until America acknowledges its major role and takes a very, very active position--supplying Special Forces (a tiny fraction of our forces in the Middle East, and with Mexico's permission), equipment, intelligence and funds--this international drug war will go on and on.

And in the meantime, while tourists, et al, are basically safe and enjoying life there, the American press warns its countrymen to "stay away"--even though there is more violence in downtown New Orleans today than in Tijuana. Wow. The U.S. has managed to twist this situation completely around--"Mexico is the bad place and Americans shouldn't go there" instead of "America is the drug-buyer and gun-supplier, and it needs to stop both so that the Mexican cartels will go out-of-business."

[MLK]

It is really unfortunate that the media is not balanced in its reporting. Mexico has inherited the US drug problem by nature of its location. Rather than going after the Gun Dealers in the US that are arming the dealers the media chooses to focus instead on the fallout. And in reality is doing a poor job. Having lived in Rosarito for 20 years I can say first hand that what is being reported and what is are miles apart. The damage done by
the media is far worse than what has been done by the dealers.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

[J & M Alameda]

My husband and I have lived and done business in the Rosarito area for the last 15 years. We consider ourselves very fortunate to be able to live in a "beach front" community. We would never be able to afford such a luxury in the USA.

We are in all areas, with our businesses, from Tijuana to Ensenada, Mexicali and Tecate. We have never felt in danger. When our car broke down out in the middle of nowhere on the way to San Felipe, a Mexican trucker towed us to the next town and wouldn't even let us buy him lunch. I just don't see this happening in the US.

In 1995 we moved to Baja to get away from the violence that was occurring in our surrounding neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon; drive-by shootings, old people being kidnapped from grocery store parking lots, home invasions, hate crimes. Now it appears that the US has allowed its crime ridden gangs to spill over into Mexico.

We have long said down here that if it weren't for the insatiable drug habits in the USA and the greedy gun dealers selling to the Cartels, Mexico wouldn't have this problem with violence. Let the American press get on that "band wagon" and see if they can get something done. If so, maybe the tourist industry would be thriving and our friends and families would still be visiting.

[Allen Jones]

Originally from southern California, I have been enjoying life in Baja for 20 years. I live here full time, and I do not miss life in the USA. My life here is much richer. The USA government and the media are creating propaganda. They are the perpetrators. What is going on here is not what they are portraying it to be. There are crime issues here that are no different than in the USA. There is no reason not to travel to Mexico. Nothing has changed. The fact is that there have always been certain common sense safety protocols related to personal safety in Mexico. Trouble will not find you unless you look for it. It is not a war zone here. There is no crossfire going on or chance that your head will get cut off. People are friendly, the food and wine are good, and there is great vacation and cost of living value here. Baja is still and always will be a great place to visit and live. The USA wants to prohibit its citizens and tax dollars from leaving the country. The USA is building the fence. People in the USA are the prisoners. That is what homeland security is all about. Major crime in all countries is always about money and power - greed. That is what creates corruption. Mexico is having a difficult time right now with managing corruption. I would like to see the USA assist Mexico with this problem, and the media focusing and reporting on all the positive things that are being done to fix it. Move from the dark side to the light. Pull your head out of your butt, and quit the doomsday reporting. It is not doing anyone any good.

Allen Jones

[Martina]

I have lived in Northern Baja as a single woman for 10 years, now retired.
I have never seen violence in Rosarito. The media is doing a hack job on the tourists and it appears it is working. Many believe that the US wants to keep its dollars from coming across. It is very obvious in Rosarito for it is a sleepy town now or lack of visitors. But if you read the headlines in the San Diego Tribune, you would think we were at war here. It is all fear based. Basically, it is more dangerous to drive through LA, than come to Baja.

Those that are promoting the sensationalism can not be called journalist.
Shame on you.
Martina

[Kim from Oklahoma City]

My husband and I, along with our 3 children, and another family with two small children, just returned from a wonderful spring break trip to Playa Del Carmen. Prior to our departure we made numerous phone calls, researched websites and talked adnauseam about whether to cancel or go on our nonrefundable trip, based on the media coverage regarding Mexico's current state. Now that we have returned with great family memories, I can only agree with the residents, property and business owners who are beyond disgusted with the media. I am mad at myself for not yet learning to not buy into to the media terrorist who cause fear and negativity to influence our daily lives and decisions. Our group never felt in danger, at risk or concerned about our welfare, instead we found the beautiful, hospitable and peaceful Mexcio we had always experienced in previous trips. We don't buy drugs or guns in the US, it is stupid and dangerous, we don't buy drugs or guns in Mexico, it's stupid and dangerous. Bad things happen anywhere and everywhere. Journalists should be more responsible and the media owes the families and small children an apology, for currently, playing a part in the ongoing demise of their country's future. I am sure their stories would have a different tone if any of their family members were one of those property or business owners relying on tourism to pay the rent!

[Frank]

I heard that people and travel groups are going to Palm Springs for Spring Break again and I myself went to Cabo San Lucas because I was afraid of Northern Mexico for my Last and First Spring Break because im graduating