249: How Safe Is Latin America - Ernie Baca
The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup
How to Avoid Cartel Checkpoints
"I drive a Jeep Cherokee with a 5.7 Hemi engine and it guzzles gas," he says. "If I need to get out of there, I can get out there very quickly." He's had cars follow him without plates; his wife takes off at 100 miles an hour if they're following her. 'Never assume that you're safe,' Homeland Security chief cautions Americans traveling abroad.
TODAY'S CONVERSATION WITH ERNIE BACA
- Listen to Ernie detail his extensive background in law enforcement, including working on HUGE cases that you’ve absolutely heard of, including John Gotti and Timothy McVeigh!
- Ernie explains what he means by the phrase “security is an illusion” - and how you can use that knowledge to understand your own security situation better.
- Hear Ernie unveils his security philosophy of mitigating risk. How can you find the balance to understand the reality of the situation best and assess your personal security situation?
- Ernie describes how obtaining only partial information, whether from national news - or, in Ernie’s case, security reports - can lead to a skewed view of the security situation in a given area.
- Ernie and I discuss the concept of situational awareness - how to use your knowledge and the knowledge of others to assess the level of security you need in any given time and place.
- Ernie lays out some very simple rules for travelling, using the examples of Mexico and Brazil. Follow these tips, and you will more than likely be safe and sound wherever you go.
- Ernie and I discuss more of the little steps we take to “stack” security in our lives and turn situational awareness into a habit. Ultimately, it all comes down to taking personal responsibility.
- Ernie and I trade personal stories about various security-related situations and how situational awareness - or lack thereof - drastically altered the course of events.
- Ernie also reveals his ultimate trick for avoiding a bad situation - learning to trust your instinct. Learn from one of the absolute best in this episode.
RELATED EPISODES
246: Beating Cancer in Mexico - Ernie Baca 190: How To Build A Self Sustaining Libertarian Community in Latin America - Patrick Hiebert 095: Top Political Operative Tells Americans to Escape – Carter ClewsHOW TO FIND ERNIE BACA’S WORK
“Retired Life in Mexico NO BULL” on YouTubeCONCLUSION
Ernie has extensive experience with the security situation in a number of Latin American countries that are very popular with expats as well, so I had to have him back to dive deeper into the subject. Ernie and I have a lot in common when it comes to our approach to this issue, so I know you’ll get a ton of value out of it as well. See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!Mentioned in this episode:
The Colombia Investment Tour
This year, I’m taking a private group to Medellín—Colombia’s most exciting city for offshore opportunity. We’ll dive deep into banking, real estate, and asset protection with Colombia’s top experts. We’ll tour high-growth developments, visit a private reforestation project, and get boots-on-the-ground access to one of Latin America’s fastest-rising economies. This is serious intel—and serious opportunity. Want in? Go to ExpatMoney.com/Colombia.
Colombia Tour Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2025
Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch It
Fiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/gold
The Colombia Investment Tour
This year, I’m taking a private group to Medellín—Colombia’s most exciting city for offshore opportunity. We’ll dive deep into banking, real estate, and asset protection with Colombia’s top experts. We’ll tour high-growth developments, visit a private reforestation project, and get boots-on-the-ground access to one of Latin America’s fastest-rising economies. This is serious intel—and serious opportunity. Want in? Go to ExpatMoney.com/Colombia.
Colombia Tour Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2025
Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch It
Fiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I’ve partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you’re serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/gold
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