Manny Sanchez
Vir sapit qui pauca loqui
This came to me by Mel Fabregas today:
Dear fellow Rocky Point owners,
I don’t need to tell you that the latest US Consulate warning is creating waves. Not that much, but it has the potential to do so. After being part of this community, I have connected the dots for a few years and found that just before the busy season starts, all of a sudden, the United States (federal or state level) issues warnings that persuade tourists to stay home. I have wondered on many times if these warnings are at all bona fide.
The most recent warning came from the US Consulate in Nogales. After convening with other members of the community, many have contacted their respective sources in the US government as well as the Mexican government. This includes the Department of Homeland Security (Tony van Ravensway), as well as Attorney Generals.
While it is not unusual for the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Sonora to release a travel advisory for parts of Mexico, the latest warrant, dated May 19, 2010, has left an entire community wondering where the Consulate gets its information.
Business leaders in Puerto Peñasco, known commonly as Rocky Point, met on Monday to discuss the backlash of calls and emails received as a result of the warning that specifically mentioned dangers on Highway 8, the road to this popular beach resort town.
According to the director of Mexico's Federal Highway Patrol, no incidents like those discussed in the warning have occurred. The AFI, which is like the American CIA, has also denied any knowledge of problems along Highway 8. Local police chief Erick Landagaray expressed surprise that the Consulate would issue a warning without so much as a thread of truth to it. The Attorneys General at the State as well as Federal level have also said there is no basis for the claims of violence on the road to Puerto Penasco.
Fausto Soto, Director of International Relations for the City of Puerto Penasco attended the meeting, where all agreed the highest priority should be in preparing travelers with the truth, regardless the economic effects on the city.
Nevertheless, in this case it seems the U.S. Consulate has violated their own policy not to rely solely on unsubstantiated rumors...and in this case, they got their facts very, very wrong, in the process harming an entire community, many of whom are Americans.
It would be naïve to think that the timing of this warning was accidental, coming as it did right before one of the biggest weekends for this resort community. That negative reports hit the media harder right before Spring Break or other important holidays for travelers is nothing new. What is new, however, is the participation of the U.S. Consulate's complicity in unnecessarily scaring the traveling public and causing harm to many American-owned businesses south of the border.
The hope in Puerto Peñasco is that those who know and love Rocky Point won't stay away or cancel their travels plans without first verifying the veracity of what they've heard, even if the rumors come with the stamp of the U.S. government.
With the above said, I
Here’s my 11-minute conversation/interview with Joseph Crook, Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate in Tijuana. This office is responsible for warnings for Baja California and Sonora. Specifically, Mr. Crook is the person responsible for having issued the latest travel warning: http://www.manticoregroup.com/misc/USRP2.mp3
My summary from this conversation is that the US Consulate has not confirm their data. If it sounds important, they report it. Furthermore, the alleged killings did not occur on the road to Rocky Point. They occurred elsewhere in Mexico. He admits that this could be misleading to travelers. And he simply states that people should drive at night. He is not saying “Don’t go to Rocky Point.” Listen and find out.
New Public Affairs Officer
Tijuana, B. C., August 31, 2009. - The American Consulate General in Tijuana is pleased to announce the arrival of Joseph L. Crook as the new Public Affairs Officer in Tijuana. Mr. Crook will be serving in Tijuana for the next three years.
As Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Crook handles all media and cultural issues pertaining to the states of Baja, Baja Sur and Sonora.
Joseph Crook is a career Foreign Service Officer and previously served as Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, and as Narcotics Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.
What can you do, you ask? If you care about Rocky Point and your investment, and are tired of the same trend happening again and again, let your voice be heard. Not only to the media, but directly to the source.
Feel free to contact Mr. Crook yourselves. His direct line is 011.52.664.622.7639
If he is not available, press zero and contact Lorena Blanco.
Or simply send an e-mail to him at: [email protected]
After my conversation with him, and hopefully your messages to him, they will think harder before they do this again. Apparently, anyone can simply call or show up at the US Consulate and report anything. Let’s not remain quiet any longer.
Very best wishes to all,
Mel Fabregas
Dear fellow Rocky Point owners,
I don’t need to tell you that the latest US Consulate warning is creating waves. Not that much, but it has the potential to do so. After being part of this community, I have connected the dots for a few years and found that just before the busy season starts, all of a sudden, the United States (federal or state level) issues warnings that persuade tourists to stay home. I have wondered on many times if these warnings are at all bona fide.
The most recent warning came from the US Consulate in Nogales. After convening with other members of the community, many have contacted their respective sources in the US government as well as the Mexican government. This includes the Department of Homeland Security (Tony van Ravensway), as well as Attorney Generals.
While it is not unusual for the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Sonora to release a travel advisory for parts of Mexico, the latest warrant, dated May 19, 2010, has left an entire community wondering where the Consulate gets its information.
Business leaders in Puerto Peñasco, known commonly as Rocky Point, met on Monday to discuss the backlash of calls and emails received as a result of the warning that specifically mentioned dangers on Highway 8, the road to this popular beach resort town.
According to the director of Mexico's Federal Highway Patrol, no incidents like those discussed in the warning have occurred. The AFI, which is like the American CIA, has also denied any knowledge of problems along Highway 8. Local police chief Erick Landagaray expressed surprise that the Consulate would issue a warning without so much as a thread of truth to it. The Attorneys General at the State as well as Federal level have also said there is no basis for the claims of violence on the road to Puerto Penasco.
Fausto Soto, Director of International Relations for the City of Puerto Penasco attended the meeting, where all agreed the highest priority should be in preparing travelers with the truth, regardless the economic effects on the city.
Nevertheless, in this case it seems the U.S. Consulate has violated their own policy not to rely solely on unsubstantiated rumors...and in this case, they got their facts very, very wrong, in the process harming an entire community, many of whom are Americans.
It would be naïve to think that the timing of this warning was accidental, coming as it did right before one of the biggest weekends for this resort community. That negative reports hit the media harder right before Spring Break or other important holidays for travelers is nothing new. What is new, however, is the participation of the U.S. Consulate's complicity in unnecessarily scaring the traveling public and causing harm to many American-owned businesses south of the border.
The hope in Puerto Peñasco is that those who know and love Rocky Point won't stay away or cancel their travels plans without first verifying the veracity of what they've heard, even if the rumors come with the stamp of the U.S. government.
With the above said, I
Here’s my 11-minute conversation/interview with Joseph Crook, Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate in Tijuana. This office is responsible for warnings for Baja California and Sonora. Specifically, Mr. Crook is the person responsible for having issued the latest travel warning: http://www.manticoregroup.com/misc/USRP2.mp3
My summary from this conversation is that the US Consulate has not confirm their data. If it sounds important, they report it. Furthermore, the alleged killings did not occur on the road to Rocky Point. They occurred elsewhere in Mexico. He admits that this could be misleading to travelers. And he simply states that people should drive at night. He is not saying “Don’t go to Rocky Point.” Listen and find out.
New Public Affairs Officer
Tijuana, B. C., August 31, 2009. - The American Consulate General in Tijuana is pleased to announce the arrival of Joseph L. Crook as the new Public Affairs Officer in Tijuana. Mr. Crook will be serving in Tijuana for the next three years.
As Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Crook handles all media and cultural issues pertaining to the states of Baja, Baja Sur and Sonora.
Joseph Crook is a career Foreign Service Officer and previously served as Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia, and as Narcotics Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.
What can you do, you ask? If you care about Rocky Point and your investment, and are tired of the same trend happening again and again, let your voice be heard. Not only to the media, but directly to the source.
Feel free to contact Mr. Crook yourselves. His direct line is 011.52.664.622.7639
If he is not available, press zero and contact Lorena Blanco.
Or simply send an e-mail to him at: [email protected]
After my conversation with him, and hopefully your messages to him, they will think harder before they do this again. Apparently, anyone can simply call or show up at the US Consulate and report anything. Let’s not remain quiet any longer.
Very best wishes to all,
Mel Fabregas
