Full Text of
the Mexico Travel Warning
Mexico
July 16, 2010
The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning
to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in
Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. The
authorized departure of family members of U.S.
government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the
northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales,
Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros
remains in place. This Travel Warning supersedes the
Travel Warning for Mexico dated May 6, 2010 to note the
extension of authorized departure and to update guidance
on security conditions and crime.
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year.
This includes tens of thousands who cross the border
every day for study, tourism or business and at least
one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The
Mexican government makes a considerable effort to
protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major
tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist
destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of
drug-related violence and crime reported in the border
region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes.
Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems.
While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens
associated with criminal activity, the security
situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks
involved in travel to Mexico, how best to avoid
dangerous situations, and who to contact if one becomes
a victim of crime or violence. Common-sense precautions
such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist
areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where
criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that
travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable. 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.
General Conditions
Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an
extensive effort to combat drug-trafficking
organizations (DTOs). Mexican DTOs, meanwhile, have been
engaged in a vicious struggle with each other for
control of trafficking routes. In order to prevent and
combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed
military troops and federal police throughout the
country. U.S. citizens should expect to encounter
military and other law enforcement checkpoints when
traveling in Mexico and are urged to cooperate fully.
DTOs have erected unauthorized checkpoints, and killed
motorists who have not stopped at them. In
confrontations with the Mexican army and police, DTOs
have employed automatic weapons and grenades. In some
cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or
military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble
police vehicles. According to published reports, 22,700
people have been killed in narcotics-related violence
since 2006. The great majority of those killed have been
members of DTOs. However, innocent bystanders have been
killed in shootouts between DTOs and Mexican law
enforcement or between rival DTOs.
Recent violent attacks and persistent security concerns
have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to
defer unnecessary travel to Michoacán and Tamaulipas, to
parts of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, and Coahuila, (see
details below) and to advise U.S. citizens residing or
traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution.
Violence Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Much of the country’s narcotics-related violence has
occurred in the northern border region. For example,
since 2006, three times as many people have been
murdered in Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua,
across from El Paso, Texas, than in any other city in
Mexico. More than half of all Americans killed in Mexico
in FY 2009 whose deaths were reported to the U.S.
Embassy were killed in the border cities of Ciudad
Juarez and Tijuana.
Since 2006, large firefights have taken place in towns
and cities in many parts of Mexico, often in broad
daylight on streets and other public venues. Such
firefights have occurred mostly in northern Mexico,
including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City,
Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Piedras Negras, Reynosa,
Matamoros and Monterrey. Firefights have also occurred
in Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima. During some of these
incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and
temporarily prevented from leaving the area.
The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the
location and timing of future armed engagements cannot
be predicted. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise
extreme caution when traveling throughout the region,
particularly in those areas specifically mentioned in
this Travel Warning.
In recent months, DTOs have used stolen trucks to block
major highways and thus prevent the military from
responding to criminal activity, most notably in the
area around Monterrey. Also in Monterrey, DTOs have
kidnapped guests out of reputable hotels in the downtown
area, blocking off adjoining streets to prevent law
enforcement response. DTOs have also attacked Mexican
government facilities such as military barracks and a
customs and immigration post.
The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically
Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. Mexican
authorities report that more than 2,600 people were
killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009. Three persons
associated with the Consulate General were murdered in
March, 2010. U.S. citizens should defer unnecessary
travel to Ciudad Juarez and to the Guadalupe Bravo area
southeast of Ciudad Juarez. U.S. citizens should also
defer travel to the northwest quarter of the state of
Chihuahua, including the city of Nuevas Casas Grandes
and surrounding communities. From the United States,
these areas are often reached through the Columbus, NM
and Fabens and Fort Hancock, TX ports-of-entry. In both
areas, American citizens have been victims of drug
related violence. There have been recent incidents of
serious narcotics-related violence in the vicinity of
the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua.
The Consular agency in Reynosa, Tamaulipas was closed
temporarily in February 2010 in response to firefights
between police and DTOs and between DTOs. In April 2010,
a grenade thrown into the Consulate compound at 11:00 PM
caused damage to the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo
Laredo, Tamaulipas. The Consulate General in Nuevo
Laredo and the Consular Agency in Piedras Negras,
Coahuila, were closed for one day as a result. The
Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo prohibits employees
from entering the entertainment zone in Nuevo Laredo
known as “Boys Town” because of concerns about violent
crime in that area.
Between 2006 and 2009, the number of narcotics-related
murders in the state of Durango increased ten-fold. The
cities of Durango and Gomez Palacio, and the area known
as “La Laguna” in the state of Coahuila, which includes
the city of Torreon, have experienced sharp increases in
violence. In late 2009 and early 2010, four visiting
U.S. citizens were murdered in Gomez Palacio, Durango.
These are among several murders in the state of Durango
that have been cause for particular concern and that
remain under investigation.
Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and the
United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and
Matamoros) have been targeted for robbery that has
resulted in violence and have also been caught in
incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law
enforcement. Travelers should defer unnecessary travel
on Mexican Highway 2 between Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo
due to the ongoing violent competition between DTOs in
that area. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S.
citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas
including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. U.S.
citizens traveling by road to and from the U.S. border
through Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Durango, and Sinaloa
should be especially vigilant. Criminals appear to
especially target SUVs and full-size pick-up trucks for
theft and car-jacking along these routes.
Continued concerns regarding road safety along the
Mexican border have prompted the U.S. Mission in Mexico
to impose certain restrictions on U.S. government
employees transiting the area. Effective July 15, 2010,
Mission employees and their families may not travel by
vehicle across the U.S.-Mexico border to or from any
post in the interior of Mexico. This policy also
applies to employees and their families transiting
Mexico to and from Central American posts. This policy
does not apply to employees and their family members
assigned to border posts (Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad
Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros), although they may
not drive to interior posts as outlined above. Travel
is permitted between Hermosillo and Nogales, but not
permitted from Hermosillo to any other interior posts.
Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico
Although narcotics-related crime is a particular concern
along Mexico’s northern border, violence has occurred
throughout the country, including in areas frequented by
American tourists. U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico
should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware
of their surroundings at all times. Bystanders have been
injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across
the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of
violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of
U.S. citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and
most of their cases remain unsolved.
One of Mexico’s most powerful DTOs is based in the state
of Sinaloa. Since 2006, more homicides have occurred in
the state’s capital city of Culiacan than in any other
city in Mexico, with the exception of Ciudad Juarez.
Furthermore, the city of Mazatlan has experienced a
recent increase in violent crime, with more murders in
the first quarter of 2010 than in all of 2009. U.S.
citizens should defer unnecessary travel to Culiacan and
exercise extreme caution when visiting the rest of the
state.
The state of Michoacán is home to another of Mexico’s
most dangerous DTOs, “La Familia”. In June 2010, 14
federal police were killed in an ambush near Zitacuaro
in the southeastern corner of the state. In April 2010,
the Secretary for Public Security for Michoacán was shot
in a DTO ambush. Security incidents have also occurred
in and around the State’s world famous butterfly
sanctuaries. In 2008, a grenade attack on a public
gathering in Morelia, the state capital, killed eight
people. U.S. citizens should defer unnecessary travel to
the area. If travel in Michoacán is unavoidable, U.S.
citizens should exercise extreme caution, especially
outside major tourist areas.
U.S. citizens should exercise extreme caution when
traveling in the northwestern part of the state of
Guerrero, which likewise has a strong DTO presence. U.S.
citizens should not take the dangerous, isolated road
through Ciudad Altamirano to the beach resorts of Ixtapa
and Zihuatanejo. The popular beach resort of Acapulco
has been affected by narcotics-related violence. In
April 2010, three innocent bystanders were killed in a
shootout between Mexican police and DTO members in broad
daylight in one of the city’s main tourist areas. In the
same month, numerous incidents of narcotics-related
violence occurred in the city of Cuernavaca, in the
State of Morelos, a popular destination for American
language students.
U.S. citizens should also exercise extreme caution when
traveling in southern Nayarit in and near the city of
Tepic which has recently experienced unpredictable
incidents of DTO violence. The number of violent
incidents involving DTOs has increased in recent months
throughout Jalisco, Nayarit and Colima.
U.S. citizens traveling to towns and villages with large
indigenous communities located predominantly but not
exclusively in southern Mexico, should be aware that
land disputes between residents and between residents
and local authorities have led to violence. In April
2010, two members of a non-governmental aid
organization, one of whom was a foreign citizen, were
murdered near the village of San Juan Capola in Oaxaca.
Safety Recommendations
U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for
kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican law
enforcement officials and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico
City or the nearest U.S. consulate as soon as possible.
Any U.S. visitor who suspects they are a target should
consider returning to the United States immediately.
U.S. citizens should be aware that many cases of violent
crime are never resolved by Mexican law enforcement, and
the U.S. government has no authority to investigate
crimes committed in Mexico.
U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on
main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll
("cuota") roads, which generally are more secure. When
warranted, the U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their
employees as well as private U.S. citizens to avoid
certain areas, abstain from driving on certain roads
because of dangerous conditions or criminal activity, or
recommend driving during daylight hours only. When this
happens, the Embassy or the affected consulate will
alert the local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the
information on their respective websites, indicating the
nature of the concern and the expected time period for
which the restriction will remain in place.
U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay in the
well-known tourist areas. Travelers should leave their
itinerary with a friend or family member not traveling
with them, avoid traveling alone, and check with their
cellular provider prior to departure to confirm that
their cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G
international networks. Cell phone coverage in isolated
parts of Mexico, for example, the Copper Canyon, is
spotty or non-existent.
Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts
of money, or other valuable items. Travelers to remote
or isolated venues should be aware that they may be
distant from appropriate medical, law enforcement, and
consular services in an emergency situation.
U.S. citizens applying for passports or requesting other
fee-based services from consulates or the Embassy are
encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those
services using a non-cash method. U.S. citizens should
be alert for credit card fraud, especially outside major
commercial establishments.
American employees of the U.S. Embassy are prohibited
from hailing taxis on the street in Mexico City because
of frequent robberies. U.S. citizens are urged to only
use taxis associated with the organized taxi stands
(“sitios”) that are common throughout Mexico.
U.S. citizens should be alert to pickpockets and general
street crime throughout Mexico, but especially in large
cities. Between FY 2006 and FY 2009 the number of U.S.
passports reported stolen in Mexico rose from 184 to
288.
Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings
Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and
usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and
escalate to violence unexpectedly. Violent
demonstrations have resulted in deaths, including that
of an American citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. During
demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S.
citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels,
avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and
surrounding areas.
Demonstrators in Mexico may block traffic on roads,
including major arteries, or take control of toll-booths
on highways. U.S. citizens should avoid confrontations
in such situations.
Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and
demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S.
citizens should monitor local media sources for new
developments and exercise extreme caution while within
the vicinity of protests.
The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities
by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention
and/or deportation. U.S. citizens are therefore advised
to avoid participating in demonstrations or other
activities that might be deemed political by Mexican
authorities. As is always the case in any large
gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their
surroundings.
Further Information
U.S. citizens are urged to monitor local media for
information about fast-breaking situations that could
affect their security.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to review the
U.S.
Embassy’s Mexico Security Update. The update
contains information about recent security incidents in
Mexico that could affect the safety of the traveling
public.
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico,
please see the State Department's
Country Specific Information for Mexico.
Information on security and travel to popular tourist
destinations is also provided in the publication: "Spring
Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!!"
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens
traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
State Department's internet web site, where
the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and
Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747
toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for
callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at
001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday
(except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens
traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to
register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate
on the
State Department's travel registration website.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico,
please contact the
U.S.
Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate. The
numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates
are available around the clock. The U.S. Embassy is
located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305,
Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States:
011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City:
5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico
01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by
e-mail.
Consulates (with consular districts):
Ciudad Juarez
(Chihuahua): Paseo de la Victoria 3650, tel.
(011)(52)(656) 227-3000.
Guadalajara (Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguas
Calientes, and Colima): Progreso 175, telephone
(011)(52)(333) 268-2100.
Hermosillo (Sinaloa and the southern part of
the state of Sonora): Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone
(011)(52)(662) 289-3500.
Matamoros (the southern part of Tamaulipas
with the exception of the city of Tampico): Avenida
Primera 2002, telephone (011)(52)(868) 812-4402.
Merida
(Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo): Calle 60 no.
338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcala Martin, Merida, Yucatan,
Mexico 97050, telephone (011)(52)(999) 942-5700 or
202-250-3711 (U.S. number).
Monterrey
(Nuevo Leon, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and
the southern part of Coahuila): Avenida Constitucion 411
Poniente, telephone (011)(52)(818) 047-3100.
Nogales
(the northern part of Sonora): Calle San Jose, Nogales,
Sonora, telephone (011)(52)(631) 311-8150.
Nuevo Laredo (the northern part of Coahuila
and the northwestern part of Tamaulipas): Calle Allende
3330, col.
Jardin, telephone (011)(52)(867) 714-0512.
Tijuana
(Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur):
Tapachula 96, telephone (011)(52)(664) 622-7400.
All other Mexican states, and the Federal District of
Mexico City, are part of the Embassy’s consular
district.
Consular Agencies:
Acapulco: Hotel Continental Emporio, Costera Miguel
Aleman 121 - local 14, telephone (011)(52)(744) 484-0300
or (011)(52)(744) 469-0556.
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4, Plaza Nautica,
col. Centro, telephone (011)(52)(624) 143-3566.
Cancún: Plaza Caracol two, second level, no. 320-323,
Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, telephone
(011)(52)(998) 883-0272 or, 202-640-2511 (a U.S.
number).
Ciudad Acuña: Closed until further notice.
Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal,
(Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th ave.) 2nd floor,
locales #8 and 9, telephone (011)(52)(987) 872-4574 or,
202-459-4661 (a U.S. number).
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa,
telephone (011)(52)(755) 553-2100.
Mazatlán: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone
(011)(52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcalá no. 407, interior 20, telephone
(011)(52)(951) 514-3054, (011) (52)(951) 516-2853.
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona Centro, Piedras
Negras, Coah., Tel. (011)(52)(878) 782-5586.
Playa del Carmen: "The Palapa," Calle 1 Sur, between
Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (011)(52)(984)
873-0303 or 202-370-6708(a U.S. number).
Puerto Vallarta: Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros
#1, Local #4, Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit,
telephone (011)(52)(322) 222-0069.
Reynosa: Calle Monterrey #390, Esq. Sinaloa, Colonia
Rodríguez, telephone: (011)(52)(899) 923 - 9331.
San Luis Potosí: Edificio "Las Terrazas", Avenida
Venustiano Carranza 2076-41, Col. Polanco, telephone:
(011)(52)(444) 811-7802/7803.
San Miguel de Allende: Dr. Hernandez Macias #72,
telephone (011)(52)(415) 152-2357 or (011)(52)(415)
152-0068.
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