Okay, I know sarcasm isn’t polite, but I couldn’t resist. And when an internal audit finds that 4% of the policemen in the state of Baja California (Tijuana) are “recommended” and 89% are “not recommended ” for employment (the remaining 7% presumably got a rating of “meh, whatever” or something), you’ve got to wonder.  Mexico, currently trying to stomp out rampant crime, rampant corruption and rampant incompetence in its police force (another study recently showed that 72% of all activities in Mexico are currently “rampant,” including mariachi), has done a nationwide study of its police force, trying to weed out bad cops. Cops were judged using lie detectors, drug tests, background checks, etc. in an effort to determine those most likely to prove corrupt. In results that likely surprised no one, 49% of the cops got a rating of “not recommendable,” which means that they should not have gotten the job in the first place. That number jumps to 89% in Baja California. What does this mean to travelers? It means keep out of trouble in Mexico and particularly in Baja California, because the police and the criminals may well be one and the same. All sarcasm aside, here at Viva Travel guides we wish the Mexican government the best of luck in cleaning up their police force, for the sake of travelers and ordinary Mexicans alike.

A volcanic eruption in Colombia’s Cauca state has left four dead and hampered transportation throughout parts of southwestern Colombia. At 17,600 feet, Nevado del Huila is Colombia’s highest active volcano. Its eruption sent mudslides crashing over roads and destroying bridges and left piles of ash. President Alvaro Uribe has toured the affected area by helicopter and has promised to get aid to needy Colombians. If you’re in the area, be sure to check on current conditions before any travel.

Travel advisory: the large-scale strike that paralyzed sectors of Chile’s government services has ended as of late last week: for visitors, things should be back to normal.

Governmental workers in Chile began a general strike yesterday, seeking higher pay. They were joined by many hospital doctors, and at least one fatality resulted from lack of emergency room attention. Visitors to Chile are advised that many services will be unavailable, including regional tourism offices and park offices. Park entrances, however, are still open and manned with park staff.

Heading to Mexico City? That old man standing behind you on the metro might not actually be poking you with an umbrella. Mexico City has announced a program of giving away free Viagra and other impotence medication to men over 70.  Aimed at improving the “happiness and quality of life” of its citizens, the program is due to start in December.  As many as 112,000 men may qualify for the program…so please, no more short skirts when you walk past the old folk’s home.

International diplomacy has officially gone to the dogs - the Peruvian hairless dogs, that is. The Republic of Peru has formally offered an adorable puppy named “Machu Picchu” to President-elect Obama and his family. Obama had promised his young daughters that if he won the election they could have a puppy, and they’re holding him to his promise. One of the girls has allergies, so a special breed is needed. The Peruvian hairless dog, the national dog of Peru, has been around since Inca times. No word yet on whether or not “Machu Picchu” will take up rsidence at the White House anytime soon: maybe the Secret Service is still doing the background check.

Late last week, the Peruvian government declared a State of Emergency in the southern Tacna Region after protests left three dead. The deaths resulted from protesters fighting security forces in the streets after mining revenues traditionally given to Tacna were diverted to neighboring Moquegua this year. According to sources in tacna, one of the deaths was an infant who choked on tear gas fired at protestors.  Tacna is in the far south of Peru near the Chilean border. The protestors presumably mean no harm to tourists or foreigners, as their quarrel is with the Peruvian government. Still, travelers are advised to avoid the region if possible.

Yma Sumac, the famous Peruvian singer known as the “Inca Princess,” passed away on November 1 after a long battle with cancer. She led a long and fascinating life: you can learn about her here.

The axolotl, a large salamander with impressive gills and a symbol of Mexzico’s capital, is in danger of extinction, according to scientists. The lakes and waterways around Mexico City have been home to the axolotl since the days of the aztecs, who prized them as a source of food. As recently as a couple of decades ago, they were still eaten by locals. They have been pushed to the brink of extinction by the introduction of non-native fish species, including the agressive African tilapia. Efforts are under way to save them, including fencing off sections of lakes and waterways to make axolotl “havens” and populating them with animals bred in captivity. Here’s hoping they can save this fascinating, unique animal!