rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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Joined: 09/30/2006
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Just takes a little horsepower to get some action.
“Mordida”, a favorite extortion and bribe in Mexico
In Cancun, Mexico, police stopped a driver, a visiting tourist, for an alleged “administrative violation.” Then they asked the tourist for up to $300 dollars so she could proceed without having a penalty issued to her. It turned out that the victim of this extortion was Michelle Fischbach, a state senator from Minnesota, who later presented a written complaint to the local authorities regarding the episode. Five Cancun “Tourist Police” officers are now under investigation for their personal attempt at extortion. “Mordida” (a “bite”) is a common Mexican expression meaning an under-the-table payment made to extract a bribe from any official in order to avoid a higher penalty or to expedite a formal bureaucratic process.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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Buck62
Charleston, South Carolina
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This is a very common practice in Mexico. The other big one is on rental cars, when renting a car always get the rental insurance because there IS going to be a claim. When you rent a car in Mexico, you mark every scratch on the rental agreement and when you return the car the agency will always find a new one and will ask you for a lot of money to repair it. Many year ago when I was vacationing in Cancun the local police would come to our hotel each night and load up all the guests rental motor sccoters for "Illegal parking" and take them to the police station. The next day all of us would need to go and claim our scooters after paying a parking fine.
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CISCO8325
Peoria,az.
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Joined: 07/21/2006
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Sooo my question is we keep on going down there ? If we stop and complain to your local congressman and senator maybe we can help clean up that place. Keep Going down there and complaining will not resolve the problem. No tourist will hurt .JMHO
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pharmbouy
Kamloops
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Absolutely keep going down and do not pay the mordida. It is the challenge of winning over an attempted mordida that makes it interesting. The people that cave in and pay the cop are the ones that make it difficult for others.
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tandkj
Full timer
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CISCO8325 wrote:Sooo my question is we keep on going down there ? If we stop and complain to your local congressman and senator maybe we can help clean up that place. Keep Going down there and complaining will not resolve the problem. No tourist will hurt .JMHO
Good question! Why not spend your money in this country and help our economy to recover.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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There is an organization known as Sindicatura that Everyone should be aware of that fights Mordida ! we have several of Their Logos attached to Our Vehicles as well as the back of My Drivers License (Good Laminated Photocopies for presentation)! If anyone would like a copy for reproduction purposes, please send Me a PM with Your e-mail!
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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tandkj wrote:CISCO8325 wrote:Sooo my question is we keep on going down there ? If we stop and complain to your local congressman and senator maybe we can help clean up that place. Keep Going down there and complaining will not resolve the problem. No tourist will hurt .JMHO
Good question! Why not spend your money in this country and help our economy to recover.
VERY good point  Since the officials to whom the complaint was filed are probably getting a "share" it' not likely to make any real difference. Don't EXPECT to change Mexico and make it like the US because that can only be done by the locals.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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People don't want to take the time and in many cases are afraid something bad will happen. Let's say it's a crooked cop and they tow away your vehicle. That won't last long because you have to pay to get it out. So when you go to get your vehicle the cat is out of the bag.
Effective next Monday in Nuevo Leon, it will be illegal to tow a vehicle for a traffic violation. Traffic fines can be paid at any municipal office or at a local OXXO convenience store.
If you want to fight crime, take the time!
Never have had a problem with rental cars. We use them for work when we arrive in other cities. Rates have gone down considerable and some companies are offering a 50% discount through the end of the year. We do the paperwork just like in the states, return the car, get a receipt and off we go.
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You can't take the Fisherman out of this Camper
Ontario, Canada
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robatthelake wrote:We have several of Their Logos attached to Our Vehicles as well as the back of My Drivers License (Good Laminated Photocopies for presentation)! If anyone would like a copy for reproduction purposes, please send Me a PM with Your e-mail! "Please send Me a PM with Your e-mail!" How much Mordida should I attach??? 
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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tandkj wrote:CISCO8325 wrote:Sooo my question is we keep on going down there ? If we stop and complain to your local congressman and senator maybe we can help clean up that place. Keep Going down there and complaining will not resolve the problem. No tourist will hurt .JMHO
Good question! Why not spend your money in this country and help our economy to recover.
I can empathise but really your on the wrong forum my friend. This one is for international travellers.
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