Thread: Travel Alert U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _3028.html

Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
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This information is current as of today, Wed Apr 16 20:24:23 2008.

Mexico

April 14, 2008


This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires on October 15, 2008.

Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border
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Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.

Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas.

Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles.

U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly are the victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well. Thousands of U.S. citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur.
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality.

U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.

Crime and Violence in Mexico

Border Officials Say Travel Alert Should Not Deter Tourists from Visiting Tijuana

Apr 17, 2008
Amy Isackson
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U.S. and Mexican officials in Tijuana say a recent travel alert for Mexico should not keep tourists from visiting the city. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.

The U.S. State Department's new travel alert warns people about a recent spate of violence tied to drug trafficking in Tijuana and other border cities.

The department says people should use caution when visiting the region.

The alert also says dozens of U.S. citizens were murdered or kidnapped in Tijuana last year.

Luis Humberto Lopez directs U.S. affairs for the Baja California Attorney General's office.

He says American tourists are not the targets.
Lopez: There's a very specific phenomenon that goes on in border towns. There’s a lot of dual citizens. People living in Tijuana and going across into San Diego and people who are living in the U.S. and are coming into Mexico to do business.

Lopez says all the Americans who were murdered in Baja last year held dual Mexican and American citizenship.

A U.S. consular spokesman in Tijuana say most of the 22 Americans who were kidnapped in Baja live in Mexico.

He says no one has been targeted because of their U.S. citizenship.

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.

http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=11439

Originally Posted by jimpasz

Border Officials Say Travel Alert Should Not Deter Tourists from Visiting Tijuana
A U.S. consular spokesman in Tijuana say most of the 22 Americans who were kidnapped in Baja live in Mexico.
He says no one has been targeted because of their U.S. citizenship.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=11439

yeah right. foreigners and tourists are not targeted. yeah right, whatever.
hes just being nice so as to not piss off the mexican government

Doesn't this just tell you that the radical racists that want our country changed to fly the Mexican flag are nuts. Do you really want to live in a country like Mexico. Come on! People come here to get away from that then they have to gall to say they want it changed to be like what they escaped. Give me a break.

Muy bien! Great! Your own government, through the State Department, admits their are problems on the border. Does Bush then send another 30,000 national guard units to the border (To do ntohing!)? NO! The State Department is telling you that you go there at your own risk and that they will do little for you if anything happens to you. That is what this means folks!

Same thing with the warning for Colombia while Delta, American and Continental Airlines all fly there...LOL