Nuevo Laredo

Introducing Nuevo Laredo

Nuevo Laredo is Mexico’s busiest border town (36% of all its international trade passes through here) but it’s much more famous as ‘Narco’ Laredo, a reference to brazen violence between rival drug cartels that has sullied the city’s reputation. But it isn’t the fear of getting caught in the crossfire that should send you south as fast as you can (Nuevo Laredo is actually quite safe, and there’s a heavy police presence along Guerrero until very late in the evening); it’s that the city has little offer other than the usual cheap trinkets, tequila and tricks found in most border towns.

Originally there was only one Laredo, north of the Río Bravo, but in 1848, following the end of the Mexican-American War, the city joined the USA. Over 100 families who didn’t to give up Mexican citizenship crossed south, bringing all their belongings with them: including, according to legend, the dug-up caskets of their buried relatives. Today ‘Los Dos Laredos’ remain very close.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009