Two Americans are dead and two are alive after a violent kidnapping in Matamoros, Mexico, right before the spring season for college students. As thousands flock below the border, many are asking: how safe is it?

The March 3 kidnapping sparked a multi-national investigation, with the FBI even offering $50,000 for the return of the victims and arrest of those involved. Authorities said the victims, LaTavia Washington McGee, Eric Williams, Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown, were likely taken in a case of mistaken identity. The Gulf Cartel, the group allegedly responsible, later handed over five members they said committed the crimes and issued an apology letter to law enforcement and the victims’ families.

However, Woodard and Brown both died, along with a Mexican woman caught in the crossfire. McGee and Williams survived, though Williams endured three gunshot wounds to his legs, and the case is still being investigated. The violence and randomness of the kidnapping left many wondering: how safe is it for college students heading to Mexico for spring break?

For most, the answer is relatively safe, especially when heading to popular destinations. Kidnappings in Mexico are not uncommon, but they often happen in states already under travel advisory for crime, such as Michoacán, Sinaloa or Tamaulipas, where the four Americans were kidnapped.

 

 

Most college students go to the Mexican states of Yucatán or Campeche, often heading to resorts in places like Cancún, which have drastically lower rates of kidnapping and crime in general. Junior Ellie Baciach is one of those college students who headed to a resort in Cancún with her friend.

She said many students head below the border because there, the drinking age is just 18.

“I think that’s why most people go,” Baciach said.

College students are completely allowed to drink in Mexico so long as they are 18, but that can sometimes increase the risk of being targeted, especially when outside of a resort or tourist-heavy area. So how do college students who are likely going to drink minimize the risk of being a target for crime or even violence?

Becky Liu-Lastres is a tourism safety expert and assistant tourism and sports event management professor at IUPUI. She said it all essentially comes down to planning, preparedness, and staying alert.

“I think it’s easy to go out of proportion or out of control where they’re having too much fun, but you need to be aware that right now, especially after COVID, its so very different from before,” Liu-Lastres said.

She explained that human-trafficking risks are up since so many people are traveling after restrictions from the pandemic are lifting. However, this means simple safety tips like sharing your location with family back home and sticking close to resorts or tourist areas could save your life.

Liu-Lastres said if you are going out of the resort, make sure there is at least one person sober in case of an emergency and who can stay alert for any danger. She also said for many college students, it may be tempting to save a few bucks by using cheaper rides or services.

“I could totally see sometimes for college students, they probably are willing to sacrifice their own safety for money purposes so that actually adds another layer of danger to the situation,” Liu-Lastres said.

But sometimes cutting corners to save money could end up costing you more— possibly even your life. She said it’s better to use Uber or Lyft so you get the safety benefits of those services and know they’re official. Plus, drinking at a resort or tourist area is probably a better idea, according to Liu-Lastres, even if the prices are a little higher.

“You want to have fun, but you shouldn’t sacrifice your safety for that,” Liu-Lastres said.

Bottom line: it’s better to be safe than sorry.