Got to the southbound border around 11:15 am. There was a backup . . . short line but long wait. No US patrol at the southbound gate, so it wasn’t them. No delay at the Mexico “red light / green light,” so shrugged and proceeded. Then, approaching the “tourist / visa” office building, the car ahead was pulled over by armed Federalies, thus delaying our progress. After a few minutes, they moved, and we were flagged over. Lots of questions, like who / where from / where going / how long / working or retired /occupation. And then the real kickers:
Do you have guns in the car?
Do you have GUNS AT HOME?
Do you LIKE GUNS?
Anyone know what that’s all about? (I wonder what a "yes" to the last two questions would've caused . . . )
Got to the southbound border around 11:15 am. There was a backup . . . short line but long wait. No US patrol at the southbound gate, so it wasn’t them. No delay at the Mexico “red light / green light,” so shrugged and proceeded. Then, approaching the “tourist / visa” office building, the car ahead was pulled over by armed Federalies, thus delaying our progress. After a few minutes, they moved, and we were flagged over. Lots of questions, like who / where from / where going / how long / working or retired /occupation. And then the real kickers:
Do you have guns in the car?
Do you have GUNS AT HOME?
Do you LIKE GUNS?
Anyone know what that’s all about? (I wonder what a "yes" to the last two questions would've caused . . . )
You would have been smart to have answered NO to all of the above. Historically, the level of border harassment increases when the Mexican Nation feels that it has been insulted by someone of relatively high status in the U.S.
You would have been smart to have answered NO to all of the above. Historically, the level of border harassment increases when the Mexican Nation feels that it has been insulted by someone of relatively high status in the U.S.
I have it on good authority that the dates of the recent visit of the GV Desperado got confused and the increase inspection was directly related to the Desperadoes visit, they just got the dates wrong.
My wife and I were stopped at an impromptu federale checkpoint marked only by a traffic cone, just outside of Penasco, on the Caborca Rd last month. His questions ran the gamut from guns, money, origination city, days in Mexico and also all the usual customs and immigration inquiries, although he was only a policeman. He was obviously fishing for an opening but didn't get one. It was the first time ever encounter for us, at that location.
Came through yesterday about 4:30 pm, got the red light. They looked in the back of the truck and sent us on our way, even had two dogs, didn't even ask for paperwork. Did the crawl through Sonoyta and away we went.
Mexico is doing very bad job promoting tourism into Sonora. I feel like they are trying to sabotage everything positive for Mexico. I bet the secretary of tourism in Sonora does not even know how tourism works.
Left RP Last Friday, October 9, crossing border about 1pm. The southbound line was almost back to the 1-mile mark. Appeared very few were getting green light. Young women with Aduana shirts were busy checking every car going through. I hope this is temporary.
Left RP Last Friday, October 9, crossing border about 1pm. The southbound line was almost back to the 1-mile mark. Appeared very few were getting green light. Young women with Aduana shirts were busy checking every car going through. I hope this is temporary.
I was doing the same that day around 11:00 AM. Backed up about a mile out, even then. After about 20 minutes of almost no movement, the line began moving a little faster. It was as if they were checking every vehicle for awhile, and then -- as if to ease up the line a bit -- changed (by the time we got up there) to about every few vehicles for awhile. A week or so earlier, when we crossed, and when there was very light traffic, there was no line -- but they were stopping every vehicle. This may be a "fall break" thing, but because the new pattern started prior to then, I'm guessing it might be more permanent than that.
We crossed about 2 P.M. on Sunday, the 11th. Took us 1 and a half hours. They were checking every car but when we got about 4 cars from the border, they let a lot of us through.......?????????
We crossed about 2 P.M. on Sunday, the 11th. Took us 1 and a half hours. They were checking every car but when we got about 4 cars from the border, they let a lot of us through.......?????????
As I mentioned earlier, same happened to us last week -- Long wait . . . almost no progress as each car was being checked . . . and then -- after about 20 minutes and a mile backup behind us -- they waived a bunch of cars through. . . .apparently to lessen the backup. So the new pattern seems to be that every car is being checked except when every so often, they decide to move things along.
Crossed going south a week ago Sunday about 7:00 am and the only thing they checked was the size of the engine in my sandrail :-) All were very friendly. Crossed again at 6:30 last Friday morning and Aduana ladies were searching for what items were being brought into Mexico. Like someone said above, looking for fees.......
Just an FYI about south bound inspections. I was in Los Algodones at the Andrade Checkpoint picking up my stomach medicine and watched 13 out of 15 cars get the bell for closer inspection. Seems like they were looking for something in particular. They had a huge military presence there. This was a little after noon on Friday 10/16.
you got it wihint, ATF is sending another load of guns and the MX gov does not want the USA gov dealings with the cartels anymore!!!!
Has nothing to do with tourism coming or going!!!!
Yesterday 5pm everyone getting red light and being asked to show car registration papers. CBP first was asking and checking for weapons. Could see how on abusy day that would slow things down, especially with only one lane open!