http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view...
"U.S. State Department Issues Travel Warning for Mexico
Sunday, 14 March 2010 15:14 Press Release Latest National News
Washington, D.C.--(ENEWSPF)--March 14, 2010. The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living
in Mexico of concerns about the security situation in Mexico, and that it has authorized the departure of the dependents of U.S. government personnel
from U.S. consulates in the Northern Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros until April 12.
Family members of US Government personnel assigned to other areas of Mexico outside the Mexican border states are not affected by this departure
measure. This Travel Warning supercedes that of February 22, 2010, and announces the authorized departure of some dependents and updates security
incidents.
While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border daily for study, tourism or
business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens
understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if victimized. Common-sense precautions such as visiting
only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure
that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.
Recent violent attacks have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua
states(see details below) and advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. Drug cartels and associated
criminal elements have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or whom they otherwise view as a threat to their
organizations. These attacks include the abduction and murder of two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua.
Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border
Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent conflict - both among themselves and with Mexican security services - for control of narcotics trafficking
routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. To combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops throughout the country. U.S. citizens
should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
Some recent confrontations between Mexican authorities and drug cartel members have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic
weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in towns and cities across Mexico, but occur mostly in northern Mexico, including Ciudad
Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Matamoros, Reynosa and Monterrey. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and
temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The U.S. Mission in Mexico currently restricts its U.S. government employees’ travel within the state of
Durango, the northwest quadrant of the state of Chihuahua and an area southeast of Ciudad Juarez, and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of
Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River. This restriction was implemented in light of a recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings
in those three states.
The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted. Recently, the cities of
Durango and Gomez Palacio in the state of Durango, and the area known as “La Laguna” in the state of Coahuila, which includes the city of Torreon,
experienced sharp increases in violence. In late 2009 and early 2010, four visiting U.S. citizens were murdered in Gomez Palacio, Durango. These and
several other unsolved murders in the state of Durango have caused particular concern.
A number of areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime. Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all
increased over the last year across Mexico, with notable spikes in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and
Nogales are among the cities that have 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, and Tijuana. Travelers on the
highways between Monterrey and other parts of Mexico to the United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros) have been targeted for robbery
and violence and have also inadvertently been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement. Such incidents are more
likely to occur at night but may occur at any time.
The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. The U.S. Consulate General recommends that American
citizens defer non-essential travel to the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez and to the northwest quarter of the state of Chihuahua
including the city of Nuevo Casas Grandes and surrounding communities. From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus,
NM, and Fabens and Fort Hanc-ck, TX, ports of entry. In both areas, American citizens have been victims of drug-related violence.
Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009. Additionally, this city of 1.3 million people
experienced more than 16,000 car thefts and 1,900 carjackings in 2009. 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. Visa and other service
seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.
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 crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses serious 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
U.S. citizens traveling throughout 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. 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 phone service providers prior to departure to confirm that their cell
phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks. Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable
items. Travelers to remote or isolated hunting or fishing venues should be aware of their distance from appropriate medical, law enforcement, and
consular services in an emergency situation." |
I tell my wife to roll up the
windows and lock the doors for the 15 minutes you spend in TJ headed south or north. Juarez, 
