Mexico’s medical tourism industry in spotlight as 2 Americans killed while crossing border for low-cost tummy tuck
MATAMOROS, MEXICO: Four US citizens, Eric Williams, Latavia McGee, Zindell Brown, and Shaeed Woodard, were reportedly kidnapped and assaulted at gunpoint in northern Mexico. Though there are instances reported on these lines, Mexico is witnessing growth in its medical tourism business.
It has been reported that Brown and Woodard were killed in the unfortunate incident and 24-year-old Jose 'N' was arrested in connection with the incident as he was in charge of monitoring the victims at the stash house. Although there are cases of violence reported in Mexico, travel agents are reporting a post-pandemic boom, with many bookings after 2020.
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Why are Americans moving to Mexico for medical purposes?
It is reported that more than two million Americans have traveled to Mexico for medical purposes, including lap band surgery and cosmetic dentistry, as per Inside Edition. In the recent incident, McGee traveled to Mexico with the other three for a tummy tuck, which in Mexico can typically cost less than half of what it does in the US. The tragedy occurred as her three male companions were purchasing medical products from a place 15 minutes from the doctor's office. “Medical Tourism is a huge industry and it's growing until we get costs down here in the United States. It's going to continue to grow," said Pauline Frommer, editorial director of Frommers.com. “It is scary. I mean, at the end of the day it is if I could afford it, I would definitely do it in the United States,” said Ali Schneider. "It's not that Mexico doesn't have amazing surgeons; they have incredible surgeons in Mexico. It's just that the patients from here don't know how to research and they're going to the wrong surgeons, sometimes, in Mexico," said, Dr Ben Talei, a plastic surgeon.
Is Mexico good for spring break for Americans?
Robert Almonte, a former US Marshal for the Western District of Texas and retired deputy chief with the El Paso Police Department, claims that the state warnings do not reach to a maximum number of people and "the cartels are everywhere and anywhere in Mexico." The advisory released by the government also indicated US citizens should "exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas." The advisory also warns that "violence can occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations." Circle Travel Agency, Angel Taylor told Daily Mail, "I feel like people are traveling more now post-pandemic than pre-pandemic. I did have some clients reach out to me in a panic. I reassured them, that the tourist areas like Cancun, Riviera Maya, those areas are safe for tourists. They're staying at resorts, they're not close to the border."
A security expert, Robert Almonte claimed, "It does not surprise me. I am disappointed that they're doing that in spite of all the recent incidents. I do a lot of training. I train police officers throughout the United States and a lot of them continue to go to the resorts in Mexico despite my warnings not to do so. The bottom line is when someone makes the decision to go to Mexico for any reason, you're basically risking your life. It's just a dangerous place to be. I tell people don't go to Mexico. I am advocating a boycott of Mexico. I am telling people do not go to Mexico. Do not go to the resorts. Let's send a message to the Mexican government that they need to get a handle on this situation. Right now they don't care because it's business as usual. It seems like we don't care, we're ignoring the situation."
He further added, "The cartels are everywhere and anywhere in Mexico; they have checkpoints set up where you'll get stopped and you need to pay a tax to get through and even with that you may still be abducted and held for ransom. So, people should not go to Mexico. Regarding the issue of spring break, yeah, I have been saying for a long time spring breakers should not go to Mexico for spring break. They're risking their life." Meanwhile, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, are also under strict warnings. The advisory says, "In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas, the State Department says. 'Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. US citizens have been victims of kidnapping." Regarding the unfortunate incident, White House spokesperson John Kirby claimed, "We're going to work closely with the Mexican government to ensure that justice is done in this case. Right now our focus is very squarely on these four Americans and the families that have been affected by the attack."