PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today,
Sat May 31 2008 19:27:40 GMT-0500 (Mexico Daylight Time).
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
-------------------------------------
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
----------------------------
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 (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more
secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known
tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate
security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not
traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone as a
means to better ensure their safety. Refrain from displaying
expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable
items.
Demonstrations
occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However,
even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational
and escalate into violence unexpectedly. Some deaths occurred during
violent demonstrations, including an American citizen who died in the
2006 violence in Oaxaca. 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. 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. Therefore, U.S.
citizens are advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other
activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities.
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html. For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web
site at http://travel.state.gov 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, 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 at https://travelregistration.state.gov/.
For
any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the
closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 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 at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.
Consulates:
Ciudad Juarez: Avenida Lopez Mateos 924-n, telephone (52)(656) 611-3000.
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333) 268-2100.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (52)(662) 289-3500.
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (52)(868) 812-4402.
Merida: Calle 60 no. 338 k, telephone (52)(999) 942-5700
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente, telephone (52)(818) 345-2120.
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, telephone (52)(631) 311-8150.
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin, telephone (52)(867) 714-0512.
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-7400.
Consular Agencies:
Acapulco: Hotel Continental Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 - local 14, telephone (52)(744) 484-0300 or (52)(744) 469-0556.
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4, Plaza Nautica, col. Centro, telephone (52)(624) 143-3566.
Cancún: Plaza Caracol two, second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, telephone (52)(998) 883-0272.
Ciudad Acuña: Ocampo # 305, col. Centro, telephone (52)(877) 772-8661
Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th ave.) 2nd floor, locales #8
and 9, telephone (52)(987) 872-4574.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa, telephone (52)(755) 553-2100.
Mazatlán: Hotel Playa Mazatlán, Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone (52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcalá no. 407, interior 20, telephone (52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853.
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona Centro, Piedras Negras, Coah., Tel. (878) 782-5586.
Playa del Carmen: “The Palapa,” Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (52)(984) 873-0303.
Puerto
Vallarta: Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros #1, Local #4,
Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, telephone (52)(322) 222-0069.
Reynosa: Calle Monterrey #390, Esq. Sinaloa, Colonia Rodríguez, telephone: (52)(899) 923 - 9331
San
Luis Potosí: Edificio "Las Terrazas", Avenida Venustiano Carranza
2076-41, Col. Polanco, telephone: (52)(444) 811-7802/7803.
San Miguel de Allende: Dr. Hernandez Macias #72, telephone (52)(415) 152-2357 or (52)(415) 152-0068.
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