Acuna was not as I left it but was relatively safe. Not that it matters here but the fishing was great. When we quit fishing at 3 pm we were still in fish. I am 100 percent sure I caught a lake record bluegill. It was at least a pound and the record for the lake is .66, hit a 5 inch topwater spook. Between the three of us we caught around 30 fish with some six and seven pounders mixed in (largemouth). Below I will list the good and bad but overall Acuna was as safe as can be expected.
BAD
Zeta has crossed into Del Rio to extort from Manuels per locals
Pirates are extorting from anglers on Falcon per guide
1 or 2 officials from Acuna have been murdered per locals
Bars such as Crosbys, Corona Club have reduced hours per 1st person
Some businesses in Acuna (shopping) have closed per 1st person
Acuna is SLOW SLOW SLOW ghost town style 1st person
Del Rio is SLOW economic down turn style 1st person
Curfew in effect in Acuna per locals and U.S. Border Patrol (not experienced 1st hand)
GOOD
Lower amount of business means lower prices ;) )
Very good looking women at Hunters
Reduced traffic means easier transportation to / from Acuna and Del Rio
Same or better service at Hunters
Gringos still frequenting Hunters
A one night stay at Hunters is 20 dollars 220 with companion (variation per lady)
There are still locals who regularly cross to shop produce liquor etc (per locals)
When we got into Mex the first thing I saw was what alarmed me most. Across the street from the Corona Club on the sidewalk was a spot of blood on the sidewalk. It could not be covered by a paper plate, extending down hidalgo was a "fast" trail of blood with a drop or two every two or three inches. About every 10 or 15 feet there would be a spot about 5 inches in diameter. This extended down the block and into the street where the "victim" must have got in a vehicle. Our cab driver told us a local young man got in a drunken altercation with another young man outside a disco. I work in a hospital, there is NO way this was from a fistfight. So don't fight with the locals unless you want a life threating knife wound and automatic membership in the Ciudad Acuna gun and knife club.
At hunters I was greeted by the Owner and a good friend of his, a gringo who lives less than 2 hours from me and frequents Acuna monthly. I don't know if this is good or bad, but was told armed guards are now being employed at hunters (I did not see it). I was thanked over and over for my business there and was assured several times of my safety. I am sure they would have tried to meet any demand I might have had. There is now wifi and big screen TVs in some of the private rooms. They are gearing up for the FIFA cup, and the whole experience was the best I have ever had at Hunters. I was told to call ahead should I convince more of my old college buddies to head south. Was offered compd rooms and cheaper drinks should I do it.
I will return soon, but I will not attend bars on hidalgo after sunset, I will stay at hunters. I had two women while there. One was 37 and spoke 5 languages and was very intelligent and very experienced she woke up at 6 am to practice her tennis, her body definatly shows it she was every bit of a 9. The other was 22 and absolutely HISTERICAL, I could bring her here and take her on the road! I have not laughed that hard in a long long time. She was every bit a Feleena and would give her a 9 as well.
Overall I say HEAD SOUTH, Acuna this moment is very doable. My spanish is pretty good, so I would recommend bringing a compadre who is fluent.
YMMV
-Jack