Mazatlan Paints a Big Blue Line Through Town That Divides Paradise from Hell El Jefazo - The Fulano Forum
go to original January 31, 2017

Mazatlán, Sinaloa authorities, recommends to national and foreign tourists to follow the route drawn in the main streets and avenues of the port to remain in areas patrolled by police. (Javier Valdez)

Yes, it is possible to divide paradise from Hell. Mazatlán authorities did so with a blue line, a stripe in the streets and avenues in important sectors of this city where Mexican and foreign tourists can go of they don't want to place themselves in danger, including death.

The line starts at the pier, where tourists arrive on cruise ships. It crosses calle Emilio Barragán, it enters the sector called Playa Sur (between the pier and the historic downtown). It continues on avenida Carnaval, crosses bulevar Miguel Alemán, and ends at the steps of Plaza Machado and the Ángela Peralta Theater.

Whether or not one follows this stripe on a bicycle, afoot, in a taxi or in your own automobile could be the difference between finding yourself in the midst of a gunfight, our enjoying the Mazatlán sun, sea breeze, a cold beer at sunset or a coffee at the old seawall.

Mazatlán has gone rotten. Its violence is on a par with Culiacán, the state capital. In the first 30 days of 2017, there have been at least 106 murders in Sinaloa, 40 of them in Mazatlán and the remainder in Culicán and other municipalities.

Once a safe and peaceful port, with inhabitants who get up late and were shorts and sandals to work, of early drunkenness and eternal bohemian lifestyle, Mazatlán is sick with crime and violence caused by drug trafficking.

Now taxi drivers, owners and pulmonia drivers, and those offering small boat trips all know the have to follow the blue line.

Read the rest at The Fulano Forum | Español

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