Thread: MEXICO : Stay Out !

Stay Out

October 23, 2008: It's not quite "stay out", but the latest State Department warnings about travel in Mexico are pretty stiff. For example: "The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted…While most of the crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well."

October 21, 2008: Government officials reported 21 prisoners died in a prison riot in Reynosa (Tamaulipas state). A fight between two inmate groups started the riot. Twelve other prisoners were injured. The fighting may be gang related.

October 19, 2008: The government put the death toll in the Cartel War for the first two weeks of October 2008 at "almost 400" (387 according to one unofficial count). Since January 2008 almost 3800 people have been killed in Cartel War-related violence. Most of the deaths have occurred in northern Mexico, which is the major drug war battlefield.

October 18, 2008: The US Congress has authorized over $400 million in support funds to help Mexico combat drug gangs and achieve security goals. So far no money has been spent. Mexico and the US must sign a "bilateral letter of agreement" in order for the US funds to be disbursed. The US State Department indicated that the letter of agreement will be signed "shortly," and the Merida Initiative "package" would be implemented soon. Spill-over violence in the U.S., from Mexico's Cartel War is occurring. Some of these groups (ie, gangs) not only engage in crime and violence not only in Mexico and along the border, but they come across and kidnap, murder and carry out assassinations. These groups do not respect the border. To make matters worse, Venezuela and Bolivia are not cooperating in the fight against narcotics traffickers.

October 16, 2008: Six people were found shot dead in Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua state). According to police, the people had been lined up against a wall and were murdered "execution style" in a hail of more than one hundred bullets. Ciudad Juarez is across the border from El Paso, Texas.

Federal security officials arrested a police officer and a member of the Sinaloa drug cartel for involvement in the murder of 24 people on September 12, 2008 near Mexico City. The police officer was the police commander in the town of Huixquilucan. Allegedly, the police commander helped kidnap the victims and then turned them over to the cartel member for execution.

October 12, 2008: The government said two men launched a grenade attack on the US consulate in the city of Monterrey. There were no injuries. The attack, however, is one designed to get the attention of the US government and possibly appeal to anti-US sentiment in Mexico.

October 10, 2008: Mexico City experienced two very bloody days with over two-dozen people dying in violent incidents. The death toll included two federal security officers and a journalist. In Chihuahua City (Chihuahua state) 11 people were killed when four gunmen broke into a bar and opened fire on the customers. Seven other people were wounded. A journalist was also killed in that incident.

http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/mexico/ ... 81023.aspx

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Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Thu Oct 23 10:33:00 2008.

Mexico

October 14, 2008


This Travel Alert updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico. It replaces the Travel Alert for Mexico dated April 14, 2008, and expires on April 14, 2009.

While millions of U.S. Citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business, increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one is a victim of crime. Common-sense precautions, such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas, avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, and exercising prudence in where one visits during the evening hours and at night, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent fight for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S. - Mexico border in an apparent response to the Government of Mexico’s initiatives to crack down on narco-trafficking organizations. In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have taken on the characteristics of small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and, on occasion, grenades. Firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but particularly in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez. The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted.

A number of areas along the border are experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many types of crime. More than 1,600 cars were reportedly stolen in Ciudad Juarez in the month of July 2008, and bank robberies there are up dramatically. Rates for robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico generally, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Cuidad Juarez, Tijuana, and Nogales are among the cities which have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Tijuana, and along Route 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.

The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. Mexican authorities report that more than 1,000 people have been killed there this year. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. A recent series of muggings near the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez has targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make provisions to pay for those services with something other than cash.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. 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. While most of the crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well.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. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico

While the largest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border, U.S. citizens traveling elsewhere in Mexico should also exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. 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 across Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican officials and the nearest American consulate or the Embassy as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuotaâ€

Thank heavens I have no need or ever had a desire to cross the border to Mexico. Wasn't on my list of things to do or places to go before I die.