Anonymous - 5-5-2005 at 07:02 PM
any body worried about this updated state department notice?
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This information is current as of today, Thu May 05 19:49:41 2005.
Mexico
April 26, 2005
This Public Announcement is to alert U.S. citizens to the continuing unsettled public security situation along the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico
border. This Public Announcement supercedes the Public Announcement of January 26, 2005 to update the information provided. It expires on July 29,
2005.
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. This has resulted in a wave of violence aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, 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.
A power vacuum within criminal organizations resulting from the imprisonment of several of their leaders along the Mexico-U.S. border continues to
contribute to a deterioration of public safety in the region. In recent months, the worst violence has been centered in the city of Nuevo Laredo in
the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where more than 30 U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and/or murdered in the past eight months and public shootouts
have occurred during daylight hours near frequented shopping areas and on streets leading to the international bridges. One of the shootouts spilled
onto the Mexican side of the bridge itself. Four police officers have been killed in Nuevo Laredo since March.
Mexico's police forces suffer from lack of funds and training, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an
impressive array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished. In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or partial
police uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating some elements of the police might be involved.
U.S. citizens are urged to be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While the overwhelming majority of
victims of these crimes are Mexican citizens, U.S. citizens nonetheless should be aware of the risk posed by this uncertain security situation. The
vast majority of the thousands of U.S. citizens who cross the border each day do so safely, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only
legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that red-light districts and neighborhoods
where street drug dealing occurs be avoided.
U.S. citizens who are victims of crime in the border region are urged to contact the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. consulate for advice and
assistance. The following is contact information for the five U.S. border consulates or consulate generals:
The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, which covers the states of Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur, is located at Ave. Tapachula 96,
Colonia Hip?dromo. The Consulate General's telephone number is (52)(664) 622-7400, the fax for the office of American Citizen Services is (664)
686-1168, and the Consulate General's web address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/tijuana/Teacs.htm.
The U.S. Consulate in Nogales, which covers northern Sonora, is located at Calle San Jose, Fraccionamiento Los Alamos. The Consulate's telephone
number is (52)(631) 313-4820, the fax for the Consulate is (52) (631) 313-46-52, the e-mail address for the Consulate is nogales7@prodigy.net.mx and
the Consulate's web address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/nogales/NE_Introduction.htm.
The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Ju?rez, which covers the state of Chihuahua, is located at Avenida Lopez Mateos 924 Norte. The Consulate
General's telephone number is (52)(656) 611-3000, the fax for the Consulate General is (656) 616-9056, the e-mail address for the Consulate General's
Office of American Citizen Services is cdjamericancitizens@state.gov, and the Consulate General's web address is http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/mx2/wwwhmain.html.
The U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, which covers northern Coahuila and northwestern Tamaulipas states, is located at Calle Allende 3330, Colonia
Jardin. The Consulate's telephone number is (52)(867) 714-0512, the e-mail address for the Consulate's Office of American Citizen Services is
NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov, and the Consulate's web address is http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/nuevolaredo/index.html.
The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, which covers eastern and southern Tamaulipas state, is located at Calle Primera #2002, Colonia Jardin. The
Consulate's telephone number is (52)(868) 812-4402, the fax for the Consulate is (868) 812-2171, and the Consulate's web address is http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/.
Americans living or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel
registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to
contact them in case of emergency.
Updated information on travel and security for Mexico may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the U.S., or from
overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Mexico, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the
travel publication A Safe Trip Abroad, all of which are available on the State Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov.
4baja - 5-5-2005 at 07:16 PM
nothing you or i can do about it so why worry.
yankeeirishman - 5-6-2005 at 07:13 AM
I'd be more concerned about the violence in Los Angeles, Sacramento, or most large human infested areas of the United States. I have seen these types
of reports most of my traveling days, and never have been affected. Usually we try not to do business in large cities (food n?gas), we just proceed
out of the mess. GO! Go! Go!
[Edited on 5-6-2005 by yankeeirishman]
osoflojo - 5-6-2005 at 10:33 AM
I believe the warning re-issued last week is a CYA measure to remind unsuspecting tourists of possible dangers. We know that there have been credible
reports in recent weeks regarding the possible escalation of violence between numerous rival factions of the Drug/Human trafficer Worlds, most of
which has come to pass in Nuevo Laredo and other areas of Tamalupas. The proliferation of Groups such as M-13, M-18, Los Zetas(almost extinct), Los
Indios, et al. has changed the traditional "power structure" of the criminal elements near border areas. Most Nomads know to "keep their eyes to the
ridge and their noses to the wind" but it doesn't hurt to remind the uninitiated of possible security issues. That having been said, Enjoy all Baja
has to offer and be safe.....................
No Worries, Mate.
MrBillM - 5-6-2005 at 11:33 AM
I've never felt insecure travelling North or South of the border. In Mexico, I travel on main roads during daylight hours and have never encountered
a situation where I was frightened.
You're right that there may be places in El Norte where the criminal element is to be taken into consideration, but I NEVER travel in to the City
without a 9mm with an 18-round Magazine and a spare at hand. Can't do that in Mexico.
Semper Paratus.