A few weeks ago, several Wildcats embarked on a journey to relax and enjoy their spring break in Cancun, Mexico. However, the timing is less than optimal. As discussed in a previous Wire article (Spring Break Saftey Alters: Rising Cartel Violence May Put Students at Risk), a well-known cartel leader, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, aka “El Mencho”, was killed in a firefight with Mexican military forces. After his death, there have been ongoing criminal operations to disrupt and destroy public places, as well as attack law enforcement stations.
A group of eight Wildcats had already booked their tickets and Airbnb before these events began. As previously mentioned in The Wire’s last article on this topic, Dr. DeWaard, along with the U.S Department of State, had warned of the dangers that may present themselves to those traveling to Mexico during late February, early March. Two freshman Dylan Rottinghaus and Liam Maddox were not deterred by the concerning news reports.
When interviewed on how their trip went, Rottinghaus stated there really wasn’t much going on and that they felt safe for the majority of the trip. “He showed me pictures of him with automatic weapons and military uniforms.” Rottinghaus did not know definitively if he was in the cartel or if he was simply making it up, since he was a tourist.
Maddox also said that the trip was fun and they felt safe for the most part, except when they dealt with the police. “At one point, they tried to arrest my friend for using the restroom near the sidewalk, and they wanted $300, but we only gave them $150.” Both Maddox and Rottinghaus stated that the police wanted them to pay to be released.
When asked about the craziest thing that happened on the Cancun trip, Rottinghaus stated, “The police even pulled a gun on me when I was walking around.” Rottinghaus notes they shouldn’t have been in some of those areas anyway and that they put themselves in situations where problems could have arisen. Maddox stated, “He put away his gun after seeing my friend recording (from his phone).”
Both Maddox and Rottinghaus said the “Mexican police were corrupt and wanted money.” They both believe the police had cartel members working within the stations, but never felt like they were in any real danger. “It was more of an inconvenience than anything,” stated Maddox.
