Birdwatching Tourists in Mexico Get Stopped by Gunmen

Two birdwatchers expected a quiet vacation taking photos of tropical wildlife, so nothing prepared them for the nightmare they experienced in Mexico. Aaron Payzant and Logan Howard were driving from Indiana to Cancun. They were on a back road looking for birds to photograph when out of nowhere, a truck raced past, and gunmen lept out and approached the car. Luckily for the Americans, the gunmen reassured them that they weren’t in danger, but warned them not to go further down the road.

[Pintexx]

These “gunmen” were definitely locals patrolling their village and making sure that the car that just entered their backroads wasn’t cartel affiliated. These American tourists definitely missed a no trespassing sign, that’s why the locals seemed so hostile at first.

[WolfieVlogsXD]

This is scary but those men actually saved their lives more than likely.

[Montuckish]

Those guys in that truck saved their lives. We would’ve never heard this story or seen this footage of those guys didn’t tell them to get out of there.

[Plowboy]

I think their zest really saved their asses as the natives felt way less threatened after hearing them speak

[blackicex]

This is how and why clueless tourists go missing in other countries. You can literally “disappear” if you go to wrong areas and meet the wrong people.

[Bama]

Have these guys just landed on this planet and never heard how dangerous it is to be out tooling around the backroads in Mexico away from the tourist areas. It’s a wonder they made it that far without getting carjacked or murdered.

[theslayer]

As a Mexican Native, this is a norm. My advice to tourists:

NEVER LEAVE CITIES!

[crocroo]

Driver not listening to his passenger when he said “Go, Go!” was the wisest decision he made in his life.

[loafy]

If you haven't been to Mexico, taking a wrong path there can mean life or death. It's incredibly dangerous for tourists to go and drive around there! I honestly wouldn't even recommend going there unless you have a friend who lives in Mexico helping you go around.

[EmDashYT]

This goes to show that you don't have to be an evil person to end up in a situation where you're working for bad people. Those gunmen saved their lives by warning them to turn around and leave.

[noahblanco]

In Mexico, you can't just go wherever you want. Some places require "special" permission or must be given notice.

[tommybrown]

I love how 1 of the gunmen put his hand on the driver's shoulder to reassure him that he wont be hurt..that was a very humane move to alleviate his fear. 😊😊😊✌️

[RainingDarkChocolate]

The way the gunman held his shoulder and kept telling them no problem. I hope he's really just a nice guy.

[seanshields]

They're civilians that took up arms to protect thier village or town, they only engage cartels, criminals, etc I encountered several of these patrols while I was in Mexico too, while scary and terrifying at the time, they're very nice people and even offered me and my wife cold beverages.

[robertbrito]

As a tourist in Mexico they advise you to not leave the “tourist areas” for this specific purpose. You cannot change the fact the cartel is there and you it doesn’t work like US

[Space_CowboyHD]

From what I’ve read, the group that they came into contact with was a local militia, from a nearby community. The road they’re were traveling on had very little traffic, so the militia suspected that they were cartel.

Obviously the language barrier didn’t help, but I respect locals protecting their community

[johnnywernd]

"GO GO GO" thankfully the driver didn't listen as that would have been their death sentense. Those people probably save your lifes as down that road the real danger was probably waiting for both of you.

[ladymondegreen]

Absolutely terrifying, yet probably the luckiest day of your lives. Glad you’re okay.

[wigga]

They looked like villagers who patrol protecting their people from the cartel, since the police in Mexico r not good.

[TheSingingGardener]

This is why tourists should never take it upon themselves to explore outside of the usual touristy stuff or always have a local tour guide that knows the land with you. I’m Filipino but grew up in America but still speak my native language and even I wouldn’t just go out exploring on my own in the the backwoods of the Philippines. Be smart when you travel so you don’t find yourself in these types of situations