Well the blood and gore sure brings out the maggots and buzzards. Take it to Rants please. Oh first let me mention WAL MART, WAL MART, WAL MART. That will get you frothing at the mouth !! Ja ja ja ja
I wasn't aware they made bullet proof vests in XXXXXL
I've been away from Puerto Penasco for a long time but everyone assures me that it's safe as it ever was.
What is the best way to avoid helicopter gunships and rolling gun battles while I am there?
Should I bring my flare gun and travel in a convoy?
I used to really enjoy the strip clubs on Calle 13, if I dress in all red, white, and blue & wave an American flag, will they aim elsewhere?
If I want to go sailing, is the harbor a safe place?
If I pull out Mexicoruss' business card, am I guaranteed that they will reconsider shooting me in the back of the head and dumping me in the dunes?
I drive a nice Ford F250 and toyhauler, has anyone ever been carjacked for a nice ride like mine?
I like to stay in the trailer parks, any special precautions I should take to make sure my truck isn't stolen?
I hear nothing ever happens in the tourist areas, where exactly are the non-tourist areas and are there bullet impregnable berms surrounding them?
It used to take me less than three hours from Gilbert to be on the beach in RP, how long can I expect now with the enhanced border security and why shouldn't I go to Hawaii instead?
What if I need healthcare while I am there, are the hospitals accessible?
I have a weak stomache and cannot stand the sight of dead bodies, what areas should I avoid so that I don't see any?
I never hear anything bad about Rocky Point and don't trust those lying Government travel warnings, so anything you can tell me to make my trip an enjoyable one will be most helpful.
Sub
Please Sub, keep your Smart @$$ comments to yourself.
Please delete this post Mr. Admin
Well lets not turn it into a rant sorry for my comment !
Isn't that what the Roman's and a bunch of other's did, put their conquered enemies on display (crucifixions, etc.)
to cause fear and ensure control of the people.
I will ask (for the last time) that ALL of you keep this thread close to on topic AND not poke each other with sticks! Or, you can choose to feel the wrath of the ban hammer and miss all the excitement for a couple weeks. Your choice!
I was speaking with the security people at my complex. They said the shooting was not confined to Bella Sirena but there were also shootings at Las Palmas. [according to him] There are 2 shoot up vehicles on the road to Sandy beach as well as another before the arch that says "Welcome to Puerto Penasco"
All I know is my dreams of selling my properties at inflated prices are diminishing and I am truly hoping that this is just a crackdown by the government to making it a safer place for tourists. I am not gullible and I am married to a native of RP so I do have a pretty good idea as to whos who in Penasco and what is happening today will more than likely be old news very quickly. I hope I am wrong about property prices, my retirement depends on this.
I understand he has a plan for all Mexican cartel members to register on a new Website......
OK, 'cmon, that's funny!
yes THAT was funny! (and I personally fully support Obamacare).
I figured he was finally going to say they were able to round up all those guns Bush/Obama/Holder allowed to "walk" across the border.
I was speaking with the security people at my complex. They said the shooting was not confined to Bella Sirena but there were also shootings at Las Palmas. [according to him] There are 2 shoot up vehicles on the road to Sandy beach as well as another before the arch that says "Welcome to Puerto Penasco"
If someone would tow it right in front of the sign I would pay handsomely for a picture!
yes THAT was funny! (and I personally fully support Obamacare).
I figured he was finally going to say they were able to round up all those guns Bush/Obama/Holder allowed to "walk" across the border.
Sad day for sure. Of all the time spent convincing everyone how RP wasnt like what the news reports and now it happens right next door to where I own. I will still go down and enjoy but it will be hard to defend my decision after this.
Ed
I was speaking with the security people at my complex. They said the shooting was not confined to Bella Sirena but there were also shootings at Las Palmas. [according to him] There are 2 shoot up vehicles on the road to Sandy beach as well as another before the arch that says "Welcome to Puerto Penasco"
Rumor Control. No shootings at Las Palmas. Bella Sirena and on the street. But Bella Sirena was the only resort.
I too have noticed on various social media sites that the reaction is not as bad as I expected (ex. compared to previous incidents). Maybe its just that as a society we are numb to such stories or some are giving rocky point a pass as a singular incident (hopefully).
I too have noticed on various social media sites that the reaction is not as bad as I expected (ex. compared to previous incidents). Maybe its just that as a society we are numb to such stories or some are giving rocky point a pass as a singular incident (hopefully).
Rumor Control. No shootings at Las Palmas. Bella Sirena and on the street. But Bella Sirena was the only resort.
fasteddy said:
Sad day for sure. Of all the time spent convincing everyone how RP wasnt like what the news reports and now it happens right next door to where I own. I will still go down and enjoy but it will be hard to defend my decision after this.
Ed
I think promoting Rocky Point as a safe destination for Americans is dead now, as dead as the bodies strewn along the road to Sandy beach.
It's easy to look on the bright side from a distance, but not when there are dead bodies on your doorstep.
spin control happens everywhere. we live in a society that people quickly move on to the next hot topic. we suffer from ADD as a nation. as soon as something of interest comes on TMZ or the Kardashians we will forget about other issues. Safeway in Tucson and the movie chain in Colorado did not need to spin stories because we are quickly distracted. At the time of the story, it often becomes bigger that it is. Within a few days, it becomes less of a story than it should.
I think promoting Rocky Point as a safe destination for Americans is dead now, as dead as the bodies strewn along the road to Sandy beach.
It's easy to look on the bright side from a distance, but not when there are dead bodies on your doorstep.
I think it is obvious the Mexican government knew who it was they were targeting in this raid, given the level of force that was used. If these were some low level smugglers instead of Macho, I don't think the government would go after them with helicopter gunships, air support, and in one of the resorts along Sandy Beach. I'm sure those connected with the drug trafficking organizations pass through Puerto Penasco all the time and it probably isn't a huge deal.
Now I am concerned when I go down there about the vehicle I take down with me as it is a nice black European car and don't want to get mistaken as being part of the cartel myself. If there were reports of nice vehicles and even a Rolls Royce, I'm sure the authorities will be keeping an eye out for cars like these as they are all on edge now. All of you guys down there and the people of Rocky Point are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.
From one of the most trusted person in Rocky Point, Our Rosie Glover...
Situation under control in Rocky Point
Mayor Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta: Authorities acted according to security protocol
HERMOSILLO, SON; 18 DICEMBER 2013.- Rocky Point Mayor Professor Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta has informed that the situation is calm after a confrontation between Mexican Federal authorities and members of a criminal organization in the early morning hours in the area known as Sandy Beach.
In a press conference where he was accompanied by State Attorney General (PGEJ), Carlos Navarro Sugich, the Mayor assured the public that thanks to the rapid and strong response by all three levels of law enforcement, “the situation is now under control”.
“The residents of Puerto Peñasco can relax…as can tourists in the area where many condominiums are found. Security protocols were followed according to law enforcement regulations”, he said.
Figueroa Zazueta further explained that the operation is now one of vigilance in the city, meant to insure the safety and security of residents and visitors. He went on to thank Governor Guillermo Padrés Elías and Attorney General Navarro Sugich.
The Mayor pointed out that this is the first time this type of violent confrontation has occurred during his Administration, and that the incident unfolded in a dramatic manner and would surely capture public attention, despite more than a year of tranquility.
“Tourists living in or visiting the area should feel safe and take comfort in the fact that three levels of law enforcement came together to smother criminal activity, leaving only five dead…all of them presumed delinquent at this time.
“We understand the concern, but foreigners should know that this was a military operation specifically targeting those involved in organized crime who, unfortunately, resisted arrest”.
- RP is and will continue to be a safe tourist destination
- Today, Federal intelligence forces realized an operation that, among other things, sought to maintain that security and tranquility that we so enjoy
- During the operation, a group of criminals resisted arrest and were eventually quashed by federal forces aided by the Marines
- The safety of civilians remained at the forefront throughout the operation
- Although the operation was 100% Federal, it was done in coordination and with the cooperation of all levels of law enforcement
- The Mayor of Rocky Point saw to it that calm was returned to his city and personally guaranteed the peace and tranquility of all residents and their families as well as tourists and other visitors
- Mayor Figueroa Zazueta believes the intervention of federal forces should be seen as necessary for the protection of all within the city
- There is no curfew being imposed now that peace has been reclaimed
- Cooperation between three levels of law enforcement, as was evidenced today, is key to the tranquility of families
- Residents and tourists should take comfort in the fact that their safety is of primary importance in the State of Sonora
- Federal forces returned the peace of this community by acting rapidly and swiftly
- The State Government will remain alert and ready to protect the security and guarantee the safety of everyone in Rocky Point
- The message is clear: Neither Rocky Point nor Sonora have room for criminals and will make every effort to maintain this State’s status as the safest along the border
I think promoting Rocky Point as a safe destination for Americans is dead now, as dead as the bodies strewn along the road to Sandy beach.
It's easy to look on the bright side from a distance, but not when there are dead bodies on your doorstep.
It's still a safe destination but you can't defend it anymore. The bodies on the highway, the one off murders in the back streets that Jerry has been reporting, all of that you could say well it's really not happening in the tourist areas and tourists aren't the target, Rocky Point is safe, all of this stuff happens in America and more frequently but you still travel in America, bla bla bla. There is no possible justification for what happened today. It happened in broad daylight at the most popular resort/private residence in RP and the fact that it was 4 hours of small arms fire, and a helo gunship firing from above. There is nothing you can say to someone other than, this happened and say exactly how and why it happened and then follow by I will still visit RP however I'm fully aware that I can no longer brag or defend the place to people that ask. It is what it is. The reasoning before, well out of sight out of mind but now it's happened right at the damn POOL inside the resort. How can you rationalize that now?
To say that Rosy was great on 12 news is a stretch IMO. She was good with what she had but what she had was dog sh1t, so its hard to be good with that. Anyone that has any kind of understanding of interpersonal communication, non verbal body language would tell you that Rosy was clearly searching for what she wanted to say as she looked away from the camera several times. You could see her searching for words because she didn't know how to exactly go about telling people that Rocky Point is STILL safe. I do like the last statement she makes that makes me ever so confident. She says something like, these incidents have happened in RP but there's usually no innocent bystanders. That's reassuring, it's safe because fortunately up until today it hadn't happen at the Bella Sirena POOL.
If this was a Saturday and not a WEDNESDAY, I don't want to even think of the potential consequence.
Do you think they (the Mexican military) would have handled it differently if it were a Saturday in June with a beach full of early morning walkers and runners? It isn't the Mexican military's job to oversee public relations, but I do wonder if it would have been different had there been civilians walking along the beach during high season right at the same hour that this started. I've been contacted by almost everyone I know today saying, "I thought you said RP was SAFE, huh?????" It kills me to hear that. Yes, I did say that. I even posted on here at one point that until there was a shooting on Sandy Beach I would still be coming down. Well there was a shooting on Sandy Beach and I'm still coming down. But no, I cannot defend RP like I once did. What am I supposed to say? I can defend that there was a shooting on Sandy Beach by bad guys, saying that bad guys shoot people in the US as well. But I have no defense for military helicopters firing into a residential neighborhood or condominium complex risking the lives of their local citizens innocently going to work, or the tourists who live and/or stay there. How do you defend that? Please write me a logical script and I'll be happy to regurgitate it.
I too have noticed on various social media sites that the reaction is not as bad as I expected (ex. compared to previous incidents). Maybe its just that as a society we are numb to such stories or some are giving rocky point a pass as a singular incident (hopefully).
Do you think they (the Mexican military) would have handled it differently if it were a Saturday in June with a beach full of early morning walkers and runners? How do you defend that? Please write me a logical script and I'll be happy to regurgitate it.
I don't know that you can necessarily defend what happened, the way it happened, but reading that it was a federal operation, I am sure they would be less likely to hold back force after thinking through all of the repercussions that could come as a result of the raid. If it were the State/Local authorities, I would probably bet they would have held back from launching the raid where they did. Clearly, this guy was a high-level target and the government did not want him slipping away before they could get him. Thank goodness it was not a Saturday. I imagine that given the moon was extremely bright last night when this operation began, it provided officers and soldiers a tactical advantage for sure.
I will also continue to take my trips to PP. I will probably be more aware of my surroundings.
The one thing that I will not tolerate is the "I told you so's" Its my life and I will choose whats best for me.
My kids and some of my friends may no longer go....and thats ok with me. Rick D'Amico....please keep your comments to yourself.
Melissa, despite what you've heard there was no helicopter shooting into a resort complex trying to pick off bad guys. There were shots fired at Bella Sirena once the military got there (on the ground) because they went after the bad guys who were entrenched there. Prior to that, the shooting from the helicopter had been directed at the bad guys in the desert.
Melissa, despite what you've heard there was no helicopter shooting into a resort complex trying to pick off bad guys. There were shots fired at Bella Sirena once the military got there (on the ground) because they went after the bad guys who were entrenched there. Prior to that, the shooting from the helicopter had been directed at the bad guys in the desert.
Thanks, Rosie. I get what you're saying. But how do you explain that to a family with little kids? You know I'm not a nay-sayer scaredy-cat - the exact opposite, in fact. I would drive down right now, tonight and stay forever if I could. But just hearing that there was a helicopter shooting down in front of the resort in the desert is enough to make people think twice. I just hate that this is happening at all, and I'm just venting.
There is one thing that I can not fault the military or the police for, The fact there were no civilian casualties. It does show a high degree of professionalism on their part, so kudos to all of for their bravery. I think one of them died if so my deepest sympathy for his family, a unsung hero.
From Trip Advisor quoted from the Tucson report, courtesy of a forum member eyewitness - that they were firing into a densely populated residential development:
"An absolutely unreal experience,” said Stephen Heisler. "Whoever they were going after must have had a tremendous amount of power . . . To actually see a helicopter gunship firing into a dense residential area will haunt many for a very long time."
To say that Rosy was great on 12 news is a stretch IMO. She was good with what she had but what she had was dog sh1t, so its hard to be good with that. Anyone that has any kind of understanding of interpersonal communication, non verbal body language would tell you that Rosy was clearly searching for what she wanted to say as she looked away from the camera several times. You could see her searching for words because she didn't know how to exactly go about telling people that Rocky Point is STILL safe. I do like the last statement she makes that makes me ever so confident. She says something like, these incidents have happened in RP but there's usually no innocent bystanders. That's reassuring, it's safe because fortunately up until today it hadn't happen at the Bella Sirena POOL.
Lol! What you think is me searching for words is attributed to all of the following:
1. When interview started I was alone in the office. Three times during the interview someone walked in the door and I looked over each time and tried to signal them to be quiet.
2. The reporter swore she'd not ask about the incident (I didn't want to because the official statement hadn't been released) and then she kept mentioning the incident, which made me uncomfortable because I didn't have the info yet
3. Anyone who has spoken with me or heard my radio show knows that speech pattern is the way I speak naturally. I grew up as a stutterer and overcame it (mostly), but that's just the way I talk.
We have a forum member that insinuated a helicopter firing into a residential area (one would assume a condo development). When then have another forum member saying that the helicopter was shooting into the desert area (one would assume a non residential area).
so which one is it? Both are very opposite of each other and it shows how dangerous it can be to report information that is incomplete. When a rumor or non factual story is started, it is hard to take it back. It is not often the best idea to be the 1st to report a story simply to be the 1st to report a story.
From Trip Advisor quoted from the Tucson report, courtesy of a forum member eyewitness - that they were firing into a densely populated residential development:
"An absolutely unreal experience,” said Stephen Heisler. "Whoever they were going after must have had a tremendous amount of power . . . To actually see a helicopter gunship firing into a dense residential area will haunt many for a very long time."
To say that Rosy was great on 12 news is a stretch IMO. She was good with what she had but what she had was dog sh1t, so its hard to be good with that. Anyone that has any kind of understanding of interpersonal communication, non verbal body language would tell you that Rosy was clearly searching for what she wanted to say as she looked away from the camera several times. You could see her searching for words because she didn't know how to exactly go about telling people that Rocky Point is STILL safe. I do like the last statement she makes that makes me ever so confident. She says something like, these incidents have happened in RP but there's usually no innocent bystanders. That's reassuring, it's safe because fortunately up until today it hadn't happen at the Bella Sirena POOL.
If this was a Saturday and not a WEDNESDAY, I don't want to even think of the potential consequence.
Joe...I agree with you 100% on Saturday/Wednesday thing
Please dont say anything bad about Rosy.
To those of you who don't understand. Rosie does a great job of reporting but needs to be discreet as reporters who talk too much in Mexico don't have long life spans.
Keep up the good work Rosie. I believe RP is getting safer.
I just receive an e-mail from the VP of the HOA at Las Palmas. They are saying that they have word from local government that there are still
dry heat said:
We have a forum member that insinuated a helicopter firing into a residential area (one would assume a condo development). When then have another forum member saying that the helicopter was shooting into the desert area (one would assume a non residential area).
so which one is it? Both are very opposite of each other and it shows how dangerous it can be to report information that is incomplete. When a rumor or non factual story is started, it is hard to take it back. It is not often the best idea to be the 1st to report a story simply to be the 1st to report a story.
Having been assigned to an aviation unit in the Army and flown in Blackhawks many times, I can tell you what I heard in the video that was recorded by one of the people in the condo that sure did sound to me like a 50 cal. going off, and the guy even remarked too in the video on youtube the exact same thing. The gunner will be behind the .50 cal, which is mounted by the door on the side of the helicopter and the damage that weapon can do is incredible.
I was on the phone with Stephen at just after 5am and at various other times throughout the morning. Several times I specifically asked where the shooting was and always got the same answer: "in the desert". I'm fully aware the there was shooting at Bella Sirena, but that was ground forces who went in and shot the villa where the bad guys were. I'm not minimizing how frightening it must've been for people in the resorts, I'm just trying to keep facts from being distorted. Now someone even says the pool was shot up from a helicopter?? That's ridiculous. What the photos show is the blood where a wounded bad guy ran toward his villa's hot tub. You can each determine for yourselves whether to come to RP or not or whether to "defend" RP. I've always kind of preferred the skittish people stay home. Crime in the US continues to be RANDOM and in RP it is anything but. That means I at least have half a chance of mitigating the risk to me while here...something I cannot do when in Scottsdale.
Safe. Until next time. Based on personal knowledge and communication, I'm going to throw this out there. Do whatever you will with it, but there's more sense here than in any of the news drivel you'll read on the other sites, or the "official" take on what transpired today. I love you, Rosy, but... this is huge. There are implications of American involvement (from an an intelligence perspective) as well. Spin, spin... spin, spin. As I mentioned earlier to someone, it's a good thing most Americans are ADD and as soon as the media isn't shoving it in their face, they'll forget. Thank goodness there's no American bodies laying in the street or this would be totally ballistic.
So they killed Macho, he's the main guy around here. But, ask what do we get in exchange for him, another of Chapo's guys, perhaps a better one? At least, that's the word on the street.
This was a military operation. They over did it just a wee bit. Everyone knew Macho was at Bella, so they could have taken him out a little more quietly. But then again, what do we know?Perhaps a helicopter with a mini gun is the fun way to do it, spraying tourists and the resort at 5 in the morning. Wake up call!! We've known for a couple of weeks that this was going to happen. Now it has.
Chapo Guzman's previous boss, Cara, was let out of prison a couple of months ago. He wants Penasco back. Chapo has been paying him while he was in prison, and now he's out, he wants Penasco back. So, that is what the other killings the last few weeks have been about. It is kind of a war zone. They are not zeta's, but some group refered to as zomorras, or something like that. Don't know if we'd be better off with them or not, but they are out of Caborca, and the guy that was killed July 2012 was one of them. We assume that Guzman had him killed, as he was misbehaving in Penasco. Raped some woman in Las Conchas, so they say. Guzman remains in control, but the Caborca group is going to try and take out Guzman's guys, as is Guzman going to take out their guys and take Caborca. It's war, or so it seems.
people that got killed were known cartel members that operated in rocky point for a while. Ask any local person. When a military has to come then that tells you how serious the situation is. This thing is all over the news in AZ, it is hard to hush hush everything.
Thanks, Rosie. I get what you're saying. But how do you explain that to a family with little kids? You know I'm not a nay-sayer scaredy-cat - the exact opposite, in fact. I would drive down right now, tonight and stay forever if I could. But just hearing that there was a helicopter shooting down in front of the resort in the desert is enough to make people think twice. I just hate that this is happening at all, and I'm just venting.
Vent all you want. I get it. I just want to keep things as close to the truth as possible. Someone else on here says the shots he heard were from a helicopter. I've pointed out that the helicopter was shooting INTO THE DESERT. The shots could clearly be heard in the condos. In the video, where the shots ring out...please note you cannot hear copter rotors nor is there movement in the bushes to indicate the rotors are near.
Safe. Until next time. Based on personal knowledge and communication, I'm going to throw this out there. Do whatever you will with it, but there's more sense here than in any of the news drivel you'll read on the other sites, or the "official" take on what transpired today. I love you, Rosy, but... this is huge. There are implications of American involvement (from an an intelligence perspective) as well. Spin, spin... spin, spin. As I mentioned earlier to someone, it's a good thing most Americans are ADD and as soon as the media isn't shoving it in their face, they'll forget. Thank goodness there's no American bodies laying in the street or this would be totally ballistic.
So they killed Macho, he's the main guy around here. But, ask what do we get in exchange for him, another of Chapo's guys, perhaps a better one? At least, that's the word on the street.
This was a military operation. They over did it just a wee bit. Everyone knew Macho was at Bella, so they could have taken him out a little more quietly. But then again, what do we know?Perhaps a helicopter with a mini gun is the fun way to do it, spraying tourists and the resort at 5 in the morning. Wake up call!! We've known for a couple of weeks that this was going to happen. Now it has.
Chapo Guzman's previous boss, Cara, was let out of prison a couple of months ago. He wants Penasco back. Chapo has been paying him while he was in prison, and now he's out, he wants Penasco back. So, that is what the other killings the last few weeks have been about. It is kind of a war zone. They are not zeta's, but some group refered to as zomorras, or something like that. Don't know if we'd be better off with them or not, but they are out of Caborca, and the guy that was killed July 2012 was one of them. We assume that Guzman had him killed, as he was misbehaving in Penasco. Raped some woman in Las Conchas, so they say. Guzman remains in control, but the Caborca group is going to try and take out Guzman's guys, as is Guzman going to take out their guys and take Caborca. It's war, or so it seems.
Anonymous
That's not the first time I've heard that now that Caro Quintero was out that things were going to change. I heard it back in September.
What if the authorities didn't know it was Macho, but all they knew was it was someone very important; They could have thought there was a possibility it was Chapo instead. If that could have been the case, do you feel there would have been more force used this morning if they thought it was Chapo? What can we assess from the government's response that took place?
I posted this in another place but realize I should post it here. There will be a news broadcast in English, tomorrow, Thursday morning at 8 A.M. on 106.1 Sol FM. Just google XHPPO and you can listen online. I will be listening.
What if the authorities didn't know it was Macho, but all they knew was it was someone very important; They could have thought there was a possibility it was Chapo instead. If that could have been the case, do you feel there would have been more force used this morning if they thought it was Chapo? What can we assess from the government's response that took place?
Can you imagine if they took out Chapo in RP? I don't think they thought it was him. I think it would've been worse if they had thought it was him.
The pool comment was made by me and is unfounded. It was a joke as the house in question is 30 ft from one of the pools at the resort. I apologize. However, I think the evidence corroborates what Stephen is saying he saw. If you look at the pictures of the truck that the article describes as being "armored", the bullet grouping or pattern to me indicates that the bullets were on a downward plane, coming from above. I'm not an expert but I think the only round that can penetrate the engine block is a .50 cal round, the same that would be fired from the helo. There is engine oil leaking from the truck and if you look at the bullet grouping on the hood and front window you can see the rounds came from above with something big. I also know that shooting for the engine block is a widely practiced technique. Just my opinion but it seems possible.
I disagree with anyone saying there was a .50 cal present during the two videos aired by home owners. Those are clearly AR-15 or any other .223 rim fire semi-auto. I also read someone thought automatic weapons. No, rim fire .223 rounds, 100% which also corroborates what Rosy says plus the pictures indicate small arms fire into the house. If they were firing .50 cal into that house there would be walls missing. No joke.
I think we have 3 or 4 material witnesses and besides the two or three reports we had come out of Bella initially this morning, Stephen is the closest to the scene and has vantage point over Bella. Also as a writer/reporter, it is his obligation to be objective. He did that and I believe what he is saying.
What if the authorities didn't know it was Macho, but all they knew was it was someone very important; They could have thought there was a possibility it was Chapo instead. If that could have been the case, do you feel there would have been more force used this morning if they thought it was Chapo? What can we assess from the government's response that took place?
Apparently you're not getting something. Chapo, The USA and Mexico are all business partners. It has been done before when Sinaloa needs cleaning out, someone gets "anonymously turned in". The drug war is over BRO
I can appreciate to a point, that there is a difference if the firing was from a helicopter or from the ground.
Regardless where it came from, it does not change the fact that a heavy duty gunfight with lots of bullets fired, transpired right inside that resort.
I think that fact alone is what is disturbing. If a cartel member happens to be staying in a resort where you are, does that mean you can look forward to the same thing as the folks at Bella Serena.
I think I'm going to throw caution to the wind and come on down for New Years. I just need to burn a CD for the drive. I'm thinking Wagner. Definitely Wagner.
The pool comment was made by me and is unfounded. It was a joke as the house in question is 30 ft from one of the pools at the resort. I apologize. However, I think the evidence corroborates what Stephen is saying he saw. If you look at the pictures of the truck that the article describes as being "armored", the bullet grouping or pattern to me indicates that the bullets were on a downward plane, coming from above. I'm not an expert but I think the only round that can penetrate the engine block is a .50 cal round, the same that would be fired from the helo. There is engine oil leaking from the truck and if you look at the bullet grouping on the hood and front window you can see the rounds came from above with something big. I also know that shooting for the engine block is a widely practiced technique. Just my opinion but it seems possible.
I disagree with anyone saying there was a .50 cal present during the two videos aired by home owners. Those are clearly AR-15 or any other .223 rim fire semi-auto. I also read someone thought automatic weapons. No, rim fire .223 rounds, 100% which also corroborates what Rosy says plus the pictures indicate small arms fire into the house. If they were firing .50 cal into that house there would be walls missing. No joke.
I think we have 3 or 4 material witnesses and besides the two or three reports we had come out of Bella initially this morning, Stephen is the closest to the scene and has vantage point over Bella. Also as a writer/reporter, it is his obligation to be objective. He did that and I believe what he is saying.
AR-15's, M-4's,M-16's are not rim fire, they use the .223/5.56mm NATO centerfire cartridge. I can't recall a rim fire standard issue rifle since the frontier days.
I think I'm going to throw caution to the wind and come on down for New Years. I just need to burn a CD for the drive. I'm thinking Wagner. Definitely Wagner.
AR-15's, M-4's,M-16's are not rim fire, they use the .223/5.56mm NATO centerfire cartridge. I can't recall a rim fire standard issue rifle since the frontier days.
Steve and Rosie are both right. Steve saw what looked like the helicopter firing into Bella Sirena, but he saw it from 1/2 mile away at Esmerelda. In reality, I think the only target for the helos were the trucks, armored trucks that is. I see no pictures with 50 cal damage other than the trucks and I have looked at every public picture. I agree with another poster, if the helis were firing on Villa 8 it would be torn to shreds. Did the helis fire on a vehicle inside Bella Sirena? Perhaps they did... the gray truck. The only damage I see in the villa is from smaller weapons inside Bella Sirena. So Steve - you saw what you saw buddy, no need to defend yourself. Rosie - you are also telling the truth, there were no large caliber weapons fired into Bella Sirena (except maybe a truck going in, or trying to leave). I am just glad the operation was successful - the bad guys were eliminated and there no innocent bystanders injured. I feel bad for the residents of Bella Sirena - to be there today must of have been trematic. My heart goes out to them.
Rosie,
When I first talked to you, they were firing into an area in the desert.
Later while we were trying to see what was going on, Maria and I BOTH witnessed heavy caliber fire from the helicopter going into the residential area. How did we know where it was going? Because tracers were being utilized as well.
In 25 years of working in one way or the other within media, I've been a stern representation of the truth. What's being said may not be pretty, but it's always going to be honest. Anybody that happened to be looking outside of their windows before daybreak at that resort will easily be able to confirm exactly what I'm saying.
For you to suggest that what I said is anything but the truth is deeply offensive.
Stephen, it didn't occur to me that you weren't being truthful. I thought you'd been misunderstood. If not for that, I would've addressed you directly. Again, I want to be sure not to minimize the fear felt or even the danger to which anyone was exposed. I have friends who were home in Bella Sirena the whole time and I was on the phone with them throughout the morning.
Please clarify for me: You saw helicopter fire going directly into Bella Sirena? This is something you hadn't mentioned so understand that I had no reason to think it had happened.
Without distracting from the ongoing conversation I'd like to point out that this Municipal administration has finally done what we've always asked for: release a statement addressing what happened. Regardless how you feel it was 'spun', we've made craploads of progress. Never before would a press release have gone out specifically for you. I was given this and asked to translate along with free reign to give interviews and spread it around. Trust me, that's a first. Some of you might recall a very awkward interview I did a few years back with Mr. Soto regarding an incident on the highway. Geez...never again (hopefully)
A video has been uploaded on Youtube that shows a convoy of military and federal vehicles on what appears to be the highway to/from Sonoyta. It looks as if they are heading north out of Puerto Penasco, is this the convoy that was part of the operation yesterday: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiKPji7hUpw
Here is another video uploaded to Youtube shot from the other side of Sandy Beach. It's very short and I can't tell exactly where it was taken, but it does sound as if they were not too far from where everything took place:
Here is another video uploaded to Youtube shot from the other side of Sandy Beach. It's very short and I can't tell exactly where it was taken, but it does sound as if they were not too far from where everything took place:
It looks like that was video taken from the on other side of the golf course at Las Palomas. Lots vendors/locals living over there.
As disconcerted as I am that this happened I take some relief that it was a military/police action rather than a random gang shoot out in a populated area. There were no human heads dropped off at city hall or bodies hanging from light posts in town which has occurred in other cities.
I've been following all this, and like everyone else, am very concerned. We have plans to head to RP with our kids on Saturday and spend Christmas there, but now are not sure if that's a good idea. Our main concern is that there will be repercussions / retaliation by the cartels. We are really torn.
I feel this needs to be stated. If you are a drug addict/user YOU are partly responsible for what happened yesterday. Without users they have no business and there is no cartel.
I feel this needs to be stated. If you are a drug addict/user YOU are partly responsible for what happened yesterday. Without users they have no business and there is no cartel.
I feel this needs to be said....if the government would get out of peoples lives, including legalizing drugs, there would be no cartel.
I feel this needs to be said....if the government would get out of peoples lives, including legalizing drugs, there would be no cartel.
If that were the case, I believe the cartel would turn to other things to support their organization so as to continue their survival. Prostitution, vehicle thefts, robbery, human trafficking...
Because of the events of yesterday a few local people have reported getting calls from scammers. Dont give personal information, dont believe them. There are just stupid people taking advantage of the situation. Please share.
This is CRAZY!!!!! Now how will I ever convince my friends and family that we are safe?
However, where in the world is it truly safe?
Oh well, it will not stop us from going . . . perhaps now we can finally afford to buy our vacation home ???
If someone could provide an English translation or synopsis, it would be greatly appreciated.
Rhino said:
If someone could provide an English translation or synopsis, it would be greatly appreciated.
As you can tell he looks hung over as hell, was on vacation and did not receive a call till 5 45 am to tell him to provide police help so the workers could make there way to the condos. Side steps every question, caught completely off guard. JMHo
I was glad to see the AZ Daily Star report was not PP bashing this morning. Decent artical. This will not change our plans for Christmas and New Years in Cholla Bay.
Reflecting on yesterdays events, I'd like to know if anybody feels the same way.
Granted I was not in Bella when the shots were fired, but here's my thoughts. What happened last year in Las Conchas scares me way more than what happened yesterday. What generally concerns me when traveling abroad are circumstances where tourists are being targeted. Agree? Disagree?
Here is a video of a TV interview with the mayor. Dont know if its posted already, but here are some of the facts.
My wife translated this here are a few key points [paraphrased]
The Mayor is very concerned about this incident and it's effect on tourism.
He said Puerto Penasco is a safe place. The problem is people coming from other parts of Mexico. They do not have the resources to check everyone coming to town.
He is proud of the job the police and military have done.
He is concerned about reprisals stemming from this event.
They will be stepping up efforts to police people coming here.
He hopes that the friends of the people killed will think twice about coming here.