Originally Posted by
pbjag
I have an upcoming project that will include a few days in Monterrey.
In the past when traveling in higher risk markets (El Salvador, Colombia, etc.) it was with a large multinational company that took extensive security precautions (including drivers, 24 hour armed security, etc.) -and the accompanying consultants received the same protection.
This trip is for a local client who is downplaying the risk but has agreed to cover whatever precautions we consider necessary. Any recommendations regarding what we should require? In some countries, having obvious security makes you more of a target -is this the case in Monterrey or is a strong and obvious security presence preferred?
Sorry for the delay, this forum is not a regular stop for me. Hopefully your trips went well. As I mentioned above, locals will almost always downplay the threat. A security professional will look at each area to be visited, determine the main threats to the type of client, and arrange security with the appropriate signature. We also here from the locals, that security will make them a bigger target. If security is done correctly, the profile is almost nil. Those who are able to pick your low profile security personnel out are the same professional criminals that will go onto an easier target when they see they have a pro security team to deal with. more than 95% of all kidnappings in Mexico are conducted against victims with no security (this says something). The remaining 5% would most likely be a sloppy security team that the bad-guys thought they could deal with. This is when you see bodyguards getting kidnapped themselves.
There is a very definite system used by violent elements in this region. If you understand the threat, you understand how to avoid and in a worst case scenario counter them, and raise your chances of having a safe time down south.
Sean
Secfor International