Thread: U.S. Issues Travel Alert for Mexico

Monday October 13, 2008

Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
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This information is current as of today, Mon Oct 13 10:42:37 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
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U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas. Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuotaâ€

Current Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.

Sudan 10/02/2008
Pakistan 10/01/2008
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 09/26/2008
Yemen 09/17/2008
Bolivia 09/15/2008
Iran 09/15/2008
Georgia 09/10/2008
Lebanon 09/10/2008
Afghanistan 09/10/2008
Algeria 08/22/2008
Kenya 08/22/2008
Colombia 08/07/2008
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 07/23/2008
Saudi Arabia 07/09/2008
Uzbekistan 07/03/2008
Chad 06/23/2008
Sri Lanka 06/13/2008
Iraq 06/13/2008
Eritrea 06/11/2008
Cote d'Ivoire 06/09/2008
Somalia 05/20/2008
Nepal 05/07/2008
Haiti 04/30/2008
Burundi 04/22/2008
Syria 04/15/2008
Central African Republic 03/25/2008
Philippines 02/13/2008
Nigeria 10/30/2007

When is mexico going to be added to this list?

Have no interest in travelling to Mexico to immerse myself in that culture or go to their beaches! I get enough Hispanic culture around town, and America has some pretty great beaches.

I think Mexico should have been added to that list long ago.

I'd rather stay home, and see the sights in America. Safe, plus, I speak the language!!LOL

I haven't seen anything about this in any of the media today.

This advisory is ridiculous!

It says to watch out for kidnappers, military conflicts, grenades, and riots but never advises people NOT TO TRAVEL TO MEXICO!

What is needed is an advisory that tells Americans to avoid Mexico except for absolutely essential travel.

The mere fact the government would issue this warning and encourage people to continue to go to Mexico as tourists right now shows you just how much power Mexican money has on our own government.

Mexico is running "Vacation in Mexico" ads here in Raleigh, NC right now.

W

added to homepage with note

ALIPAC NOTE: We advise all Americans to avoid any travel to Mexico unless it is absolutely necessary. We also advise all American citizens withing Mexico to return to the states if possible. It is obscene that our own government would issue a warning for you to look out for kidnappers, gunmen dressed as police, grenades, military level conflicts, carjackers, and riots while continuing your vacation plans in Mexico! Cancel that vacation idea and warn others and please disregard the Mexican government sponsored TV ads encouraging you to vacation in Mexico. We wish our own government would do the right thing and advise Americans to avoid all unnecessary travel to Mexico during this crisis.

http://www.alipac.us/article3634.html

It's Tuesday and I still haven't seen anything about this in the media.