Reducing Risk in Mexico: Why Executive Protection is Essential

Like any destination, Mexico presents unique challenges for high-profile individuals and executives. For the most up-to-date information about risks in Mexico, be sure to consult your government’s travel advisory:

• US Department of State Mexico Travel Advisory
• UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Mexico Travel Advice
• Australia Smart Traveler Mexico Advisory

As an elite traveler, your prominent profile and perceived wealth can make you a target for various threats. While Mexico offers unparalleled experiences, from exclusive getaways to lucrative business deals, its unique risks demand a careful approach.

Kidnapping is an unfortunate reality in many areas of Mexico. Prominent individuals and executives are often viewed as lucrative targets. DTOs and other criminal groups employ methods ranging from high-profile ransoms to quick and targeted express kidnappings, where victims are forced to withdraw cash at ATMs.

Elite travelers, often more visible in their movements and accommodations, are at heightened risk, especially in regions with significant cartel activity.

Proactive measures eliminate uncertainty from your itinerary. Simple steps like being alert to your surroundings, avoiding suspicious individuals, and staying in well-populated areas help minimize your risk.

In the event you are kidnapped, keep in mind your best opportunity to escape is at the moment of abduction. Make as much commotion as possible – scream, shout for help, and try to gain the attention of anyone nearby. If that doesn’t work, be sure to follow your captors’ instructions and don’t antagonize them. As much as possible, stay calm and keep yourself mentally active by memorizing and recalling details.

Mexico’s lively cities and relaxing resorts can sometimes mask the reality of street crime and political violence. Day-to-day threats include opportunistic crimes such as pickpocketing, robbery, or vehicle hijacking, especially in urban areas. For the elite traveler, visibility at high-profile events or connections to notable ventures can inadvertently increase exposure to these threats.

Election cycles add another layer of complexity as cartels seek to gain political influence and take advantage of changeovers. While politicians are typically targets, unrest can make travel dangerous for anyone. Engaging a security detail with professionals familiar with the local landscape is a must when traveling during uncertain political periods.

Beyond the traditional image of drug-trafficking criminals, DTOs have diversified into activities like extortion, human trafficking, industrial theft, fraud, and expansion into legitimate businesses.

You may be familiar with “friend-shoring,” the trend where the US has sought to shift manufacturing from China to countries diplomatically and geographically closer to itself – such as Mexico. DTOs are likely to exploit this industrial expansion in Mexico. For instance, they may extort factories by imposing protection rackets through the threats of blockades or violence. Moreover, these gangs may expand direct industrial theft of valuable commodities from factories, ports, or freight trucks into emerging markets and new areas.

True luxury isn’t just about what you experience – it’s about how freely you can experience it. As an elite traveler, your lifestyle and profile make you more visible and therefore more vulnerable to targeted threats. Criminal organizations and opportunistic criminals see prominent individuals as prime targets for kidnapping, extortion, and robbery.

Executive protection services from Crisis24’s Private Strategic Group (PSG) provide a structured approach to safety, allowing you to focus on your trip without worrying about the risks. With our high-caliber journey management experts at your side, you’ll receive:

• Planning and Logistics: Every detail of your journey is meticulously crafted. From secure itineraries to carefully analyzed travel routes, potential risks are mitigated before you ever step foot in Mexico.
• Local Transit Inspections: Navigating unfamiliar transit shouldn’t make you feel vulnerable. Our protection teams conduct thorough inspections of local transit options, to ensure safe passage, eliminating risks like carjacking or roadside threats.
• Intel and Monitoring: Real-time intelligence and monitoring are at the heart of the Crisis24 Private Strategic Group executive protection service. Our security teams keep a constant watch on local developments, including crime patterns, political unrest, and DTO activities, allowing us to swiftly adjust plans to keep you protected.
• Private Protection Detail With Armored Vehicles: Discreet yet highly effective, your protection team includes specialists with intimate knowledge of the area and access to state-of-the-art armored vehicles. They’ll not only deliver you to your destination in safety – you’ll arrive in style.

Learn how you can receive the highest level of journey management and travel security, whether you’re traveling to Mexico or anywhere else around the world.