"We need the Wall for the safety and security of our country. We need the Wall to help stop the massive inflow of drugs from Mexico, now rated the number one most dangerous country in the world. If there is no Wall, there is no Deal!"
I was stunned to read this today. How could I have missed this change of status? I was considering getting some dental work done in Mexico, since I can't afford to have it done in the U.S. This is terrible, what am I going to do? Where can I go, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria? Surely there is something I can do.
Wait, there is something. Pause, B R E A T H E. Could I be misunderstanding anything in his missive regarding the danger of a trek to Mexico? Ok, first things first, trust but verify. My buddy Google is always willing to share her knowledge. It seemed that "most dangerous countries in the world" would be a reasonable search. I didn't find anything addressing the threats of which I must apparently be aware in the The World Factbook, a publication of the CIA. Let us peruse some non-government sources. Oh, The Global Peace Index would probably have some information I could use. Let's see, Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan...wait, where's Mexico? Hmmm, there it is, number 25. Maybe this list is not current. I'll try another. Maybe Travel and Leisure, they're very consumer oriented. Ok, here we go, Pakistan, Sudan, Georgia, the list is only 15 countries long. Mexico failed to make the cut. Not a problem, let's see, ahh, Atlas and Boots, what do they have? Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, Yemen, damnit, oh, there it is, Mexico #22.
Let me reconsider my data sources. If I were the President of the United States would I have to resort to a Google search. No, I'd definitely use a .gov. I've already checked with the CIA so on to the State Department. The travel advisories would probably be a good place to start. In case you are not familiar with the new travel advisory rating system, here's an outline. The current system was activated January 10, 2018. The system rates advisories on a scale from 1-4, with 1 being Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time. 4 is Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
Now we're getting somewhere. Obviously, Mexico, the most dangerous country in the world, would be a 4. Ah, not so fast young grasshoppa. According to travel.state.gov Mexico is a 2. A level 2 advisory is Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.
How can this be? State must not rate anyone a 3 or 4. We'll take a look anyway, just for grins. Ok, level 4, Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, hmm, this looks familiar. There are 11 countries currently subject to a level 4 travel advisory and Mexico is not one of them. There are 19 level 3 travel advisories and Mexico is not one of those either. A level 3 advisory is Reconsider Travel: Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time. Apparently, the U.S. State Department does not feel you should even reconsider your travel to the most dangerous country in the world.
Let us review. There is no reputable list which shows Mexico as the most dangerous country in the world. Mexico is not even in the top 10. What these list do share is Afghanistan, South Sudan and Yemen, etc., as among the most dangerous countries in the world.
Government sources do not declare Mexico to be among the most dangerous countries in the world.
I'm kinda feeling I can still go to Mexico. That's a relief.
Whaduyathink?
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