New to El Paso and been going to Juarez a lot for fun. After Red Thursday and the mass arrests yesterday should I wait? Should I expect cartels might retaliate and target civilians even in El Centro? When would be a good time to start going again? On Sat? Fri?

I was in in Juarez the day after Red Thursday and didn't even know it happened. But I was planning to go today and ready they did mass arrests yesterday so I decided not to go because of possible retaliation.

I'm new to the area so I'm not sure if I'm just being too cautious. But I remember reading in the past that mass arrests have been followed by retaliation and indiscriminate violence so I played it safe today. But any Mexibros or Ameribros in the area who know the deal better than me and want to share I'd be very appreciative.

>23 dead on Wednesday and thursday
Jesus christ that's almost as many as Norway gets in a year.

>>2802969
Just moved here about 10 days ago and been a few times. I find the people to be friendly and some great coffee ships and places to eat. I will 100% go to a luche libre match, bull fight if the season is on, catch a baseball game, etc. El Paso is nice but it would be a shame to lose out on more than half the metro area because of violence.

But yeah I also don't want to do anything dumb. I assume that the arrests yesterday could lead to more violence. So I'll play it safe for a few days and see what happens.

>>2802970
I mean what's the point? It sounds terribly dangerous even on a good day. In Norway we had 40 murders in 2024 that's our highest since 2011 when there was a terror attack. It looks like Juarez had 1,112 murders in 2024 and that's only what's reported. I just wouldn't go. Why risk it?

>>2802968 (OP)
Why did you even go there? Do you know that no one wants to live there? Not even mexicans?

>>2802968 (OP)
I spent a day in Juarez. It was just kinda lame. The city was clearly past its prime, had problems, and less to do than expected. I had no problems with anyone, but didn't care for the place.
>>2802972
Just don't go where you're not supposed to after dark and don't be afraid to say no to people and you're fine.

Nigga you wanna travel to a dangerous border town? You sound like a spoiled white guy who has to do dangerous shit to feel something. Go to the bunny ranch and get your balls drained by Sunny Lane instead - Safer and will feel better.

>>2802986
I live 5 minutes from the border now. It would be a waste to not use the whole metro area. There's stuff to do in Juarez. It's not the most touristy city but there's reasons to cross from time to time.

>>2802999
Yeah I'm not worried in general and I know to keep my wits about myself. I was just curious if the recent arrests means I shouldn't go for a bit. I read the only time civilians are targeted are if cartels are trying to pressure the gov to release people and they just arrested 25 people or something.

>>2803000
Because I live 5 minutes from the border. I have 0 interest in sex stuff. I like to go to Juarez for the cafes, food, catch a baseball game, maybe a poker home game as I've seen some being organized online. Stuff like that

>>2802968 (OP)
Juarez and Chihuahua in general has been murderous for decades - yet the streets feel strangely safe and tranquil. I spent over a week on foot in Juarez back in 2021 and never encountered any sketchy characters. The police weren't even carrying rifles...
>>2802999
Also, don't be a woman.
>>2803015
There's sand dunes south of the city as well, but you need an import permit to drive out of the border zone.

>>2802968 (OP)
>But any Mexibros or Ameribros in the area who know the deal better than me and want to share I'd be very appreciative.
Been living in Juarez most of my life, what do you want to know?

>>2803100
Where the hoes at? Are there any ladies' bars left?

>>2803100
Kek that's not me: >>2803169

I'm not looking for sex stuff just to be able to go to some cafes, sports games, get food, etc since I live in El Paso I don't want half the metro area off limits

Are there any absolute no go zones besides outer colonias and the west side? It seems like the entire western side of the city is not worth going to for safety reasons. If I walk around with a backpack will I be at risk of being robbed or not really?

>>2803169
Been looking into that lately, seems like you can get hookers in Mexico its pretty much legal. Too lazy to look up for you if there are any in Juarez specifically.

>>2803252
>Get hookers in Juarez
Don't. That's probably the dumbest thing you can do. When I cross there's a guy going "women women women?" and I assume you have to follow him somewhere, probably unsafe, you get scammed, STDs etc. I don't see the appeal at all into sex tourism in border towns.

>>2803169
Everyone just hires escorts nowadays but I hear you can get Vennie girls for cheap, I dunno much about it but if you ask an Uber guy they ought to know
For bars milfs love going to Silver Fox and there's Barra Negra if you want a more "cultured" crowd. The rest are a coinflip
>>2803251
>Are there any absolute no go zones besides outer colonias and the west side?
Yep, west past downtown when it starts to get hilly is absolutely no go and the shitty shanty areas in the outer perimeters are survivable but not worth the added risk. Other than that there are a couple of cartel compounds (one's behind the women's hospital and there's another one thats near the Ysleta crossing) that might freak you out but weirdly they are relatively safer zones.
You won't see them if you don't go Urban exploring though, other than that there's the area with the Masonic Lodge that has a high concentration of homeless for some reason, also avoid the shelters for migrants.
>If I walk around with a backpack will I be at risk of being robbed or not really?
Hard to say, it depends on a zone by zone basis and how Caucasoid you look (some times to your benefit as the smart criminals tend to avoid whites). Although most migrants have left they are by far the ones most likely to target you so if you can differentiate between a Venezuelan and a local northern Mexican you will be fine. Still as a general rule you shouldn't be carrying anything you are not willing to lose as it will just take one desperate guy to ruin your day like most big cities.

>>2803292
I look very caucasoid (blonde, blue eyes). I was thinking I'd only carry my backpack and laptop inside it in el centro and if I'm going to a coffee shop further out I'd uber direct from the bridge. I wouldn't go on long aimless walks with it.

I've also been thinking about buying stuff and trying to sell it on Etsy (wallets, boots, etc) but I would buy all that stuff in el centro anyway and if I was making a bunch of purchases I'd cross right back after.

>>2803329
I assume you are crossing through the Downtown bridge and not the Americas one then.
Downtown can get a bit mazey and there are a couple of sketchy spots but as long as you stick to the regular market area and not venture too far into the residential zones you'll do fine.
A couple of years ago there used to be a Venezuelan pickpocket problem but they have been stepping up security in that area.
Here are some random tips:
-Don't wear shorts
-If you buy with USD at Walmart they'll give you good exchange rates
-Centro has a lot of sketchy swindler salesmen type people and they love up charging white Americans, try not to wear expensive/new looking clothes if possible.
-Careful when crossing streets especially 16 de Septiembre Avenue, pedestrian safety is not on most drivers priorities.
-I'm not being racist but usually swarthy/darker skinned people are from out of town and tend to cause more crimes

>I've also been thinking about buying stuff and trying to sell it on Etsy (wallets, boots, etc)
That's actually not a bad idea, there are artisan leatherworkers/shoemakers that travel here seasonally to sell things, and they sell high quality stuff for low prices. But you kind of have to know more about the city particularly around the US consulate area to take full advantage of this.

I used to work for a non-profit that dealt with foreign student exchange, tourism and such
I know a lot about the city and what it's like for a foreigner to move around and live here.
Send me a DM on discord @kingdododos if you want to know more about any subject or area you have in mind

>>2803333
Damn I've worn shorts every time I went. Is it rude or do I just look like a tourist?

I've just worn a ratty t-shirt and ratty basketball shorts to try not to stand out too much. I'll switch to jeans tho thanks for the heads up

And thanks for the discord! I'll probably reach out to you on there

>>2803515
>Damn I've worn shorts every time I went. Is it rude
Yeah dude all the beaners can't believe how rude your casual clothing is. They think you're disgusting uncultured swine

>>2803515
>Damn I've worn shorts every time I went. Is it rude or do I just look like a tourist?
You will be pegged as either a tourist or a preppy country club rich kid from afar and in general it's better to have people guess if you are a Mennonite or just a random white Mexican so you don't get targeted.
Mind you, it's not a big deal to wear shorts, people won't look you weird for it. But in this side of Mexico shorts are more of a pajamawear for most people.
With that being said though, looking like a tourist has its benefits so just play it by ear I guess.