From: Nuevo Laredo-ACS <NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov>
Date: Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Subject: Warden Message - Travel Warning: Mexico - April 22, 2011
TRAVEL WARNING: MEXICO
1. 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. This Travel
Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated
September 10, 2010 to consolidate and update information
about the security situation and to advise the public of
additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government
personnel.2. Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each
year, including more than 150,000 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 generally do not see the levels of drug-related
violence and crime reported in the border region and in
areas along major trafficking routes. Nevertheless,
crime and violence are serious problems and can occur
anywhere. While most victims of violence are Mexican
citizens associated with criminal activity, the security
situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
3. It is imperative that you understand the risks
involved in travel to Mexico and how best to avoid
dangerous situations. 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.General Conditions4. Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an
extensive effort to combat transnational criminal
organizations (TCOs). The TCOs, meanwhile, have been
engaged in a vicious struggle to control drug trafficking
routes and other criminal activity. According to
Government of Mexico figures, 34,612 people have been
killed in narcotics-related violence in Mexico since
December 2006. More than 15,000 narcotics-related
homicides occurred in 2010, an increase of almost two-
thirds compared to 2009. Most of those killed in
narcotics-related violence since 2006 have been members
of TCOs. However, innocent persons have also been killed
as have Mexican law enforcement and military personnel. 5. There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been
targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship.
Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your
surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution
in unfamiliar areas. Bystanders, including U.S.
citizens, have been injured or killed in violent
incidents in various parts of the country, especially,
but not exclusively in the northern border region,
demonstrating the heightened risk of violence throughout
Mexico. TCOs, meanwhile, engage in a wide-range of
criminal activities that can directly impact U.S.
citizens, including kidnapping, armed car-jacking, and
extortion that can directly impact U.S. citizens. The
number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of
State as murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to
111 in 2010.6. The Mexican government has deployed federal police and
military personnel throughout the country as part of its
efforts to combat the TCOs. U.S. citizens traveling on
Mexican roads and highways may encounter government
checkpoints, which are often staffed by military
personnel. You are advised to cooperate with personnel
at government checkpoints and mobile military patrols.
TCOs have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, and
killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at
them.7. Violence along Mexican roads and highways is a
particular concern in the northern border region. As a
result, effective July 15, 2010, the U.S. Mission in
Mexico imposed restrictions on U.S. government employees'
travel. U.S. government employees and their families are
not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or
from the interior of Mexico or Central America. Travel
by vehicle is permitted between Hermosillo and Nogales.8. While violent incidents have occurred at all hours of
the day and night on both modern toll ("cuotas") highways
and on secondary roads, they have occurred most
frequently at night and on isolated roads. To reduce
risk, you are strongly urged to travel only during
daylight hours throughout Mexico, to avoid isolated
roads, and to use toll roads whenever possible. For more
information on road safety and crime along Mexico's
roadways, see the Department of State's Country Specific
Information.9. Due to ongoing violence and persistent security
concerns, you are urged to defer non-essential travel to
the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacan, and to parts of
the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa,
Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Jalisco. Details
on these locations, and other areas in which travelers
should exercise caution, are below.Violence along the U.S. - Mexico Border10. You should be especially aware of safety and security
concerns when visiting the northern border states of
Northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon,
and Tamaulipas. Much of the country's narcotics-related
violence has occurred in the border region. More than a
third of all U.S. citizens killed in Mexico in 2010 whose
deaths were reported to the U.S. government were killed
in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana.
Narcotics-related homicide rates in the border states of
Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas have increased dramatically in
the past two years.11. Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems
in many parts of the border region and U.S. citizens have
been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who
complied with carjackers at these checkpoints have
reported that they were not physically harmed. Incidents
have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers
have used a variety of techniques, including bumping
moving vehicles to force them to stop and running
vehicles off the road at high speed. There are some
indications that criminals have particularly targeted
newer and larger vehicles with U.S. license plates,
especially dark-colored SUVs. However, victims' vehicles
have included those with both Mexican and American
registration and vary in type from late model SUVs and
pick-up trucks to old sedans.12. If you make frequent visits to border cities, you
should vary your route and park in well-lighted, guarded
and paid parking lots. Exercise caution when entering or
exiting vehicles.13. Large firefights between rival TCOs or TCOs and
Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities
in many parts of Mexico, especially in the border region.
Firefights have occurred in broad daylight on streets and
in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs.
During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been
trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area.
The location and timing of future armed engagements
cannot be predicted. You are urged to defer travel to
those areas mentioned in this Travel Warning and to
exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the
northern border region.14. Northern Baja California: Targeted TCO
assassinations continue to take place in Northern Baja
California, including the city of Tijuana. You should
exercise caution in this area, particularly at night. In
late 2010, turf battles between criminal groups
proliferated and resulted in numerous assassinations in
areas of Tijuana frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting
incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been
injured, have occurred during daylight hours throughout
the city. In one such incident, an American citizen was
shot and seriously wounded.15. Nogales and Northern Sonora: You are advised to
exercise caution in the city of Nogales. Northern
Sonora is a key region in the international drug and
human trafficking trades, and can be extremely dangerous
for travelers. The U.S. Consulate requires that armored
vehicles are used for official travel in the consular
district of Nogales, including certain areas within the
city of Nogales. The region west of Nogales, east of
Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the towns of
Saric, Tubutama and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora
bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal
activity. You should defer non-essential travel to these
areas.16. You are advised to exercise caution when visiting the
coastal town of Puerto Peqasco. In the past year there
have been multiple incidents of TCO-related violence,
including the shooting of the city's police chief. U.S.
citizens visiting Puerto Peqasco are urged to cross the
border at Lukeville, AZ, to limit driving through Mexico
and to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours.17. Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua: The situation in the
state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of
special concern. Ciudad Juarez has the highest murder
rate in Mexico. Mexican authorities report that more
than 3,100 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2010.
Three persons associated with the Consulate General were
murdered in March, 2010. You should defer non-essential
travel to Ciudad Juarez and to the Guadalupe Bravo area
southeast of Ciudad Juarez. U.S. citizens should also
defer non-essential travel to the northwest quarter of
the state of Chihuahua. 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, U.S. citizens have been victims of narcotics-
related violence. There have been incidents of
narcotics-related violence in the vicinity of the Copper
Canyon in Chihuahua.18. Durango, Coahuila and Zacatecas: Between 2006 and
2010, the number of narcotics-related murders in the
State of Durango increased dramatically. Several areas
in the state have seen sharp increases in violence and
remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government
employees are restricted from traveling to the cities of
Durango and Gomez Palacio. You should defer non-
essential travel to these cities.19. The State of Coahuila has also experienced an
increase in violent crimes and narcotics-related
murders. U.S. government employees are restricted from
traveling to the area known as "La Laguna", including the
city of Torreon, and the city of Saltillo within the
state. You should defer non-essential travel to this
area, as well as to the cities of Piedras Negras and
Ciudad Acuqa due to frequent incidents of TCO-related
violence.20. The northwestern portion of the state of Zacatecas
has become notably dangerous and insecure. Robberies
and carjackings are occurring with increased frequency
and both local authorities and residents have reported a
surge in observed TCO activity. This area is remote, and
local authorities are unable to regularly patrol it or
quickly respond to incidents that occur there. The
Consulate General in Monterrey restricts travel for U.S.
government employees to the city of Fresnillo and the
area extending northwest from Fresnillo along Highway 45
(Fresnillo-Sombrete) between Highways 44 and 49. In
addition, highway 49 northwards from Fresnillo through
Durango and in to Chihuahua is isolated and should be
considered dangerous. You should defer non-essential
travel to these areas.21. Monterrey and Nuevo Leon: The level of violence and
insecurity in Monterrey remains elevated. Local police
and private patrols do not have the capacity to deter
criminal elements or respond effectively to security
incidents. As a result of a Department of State
assessment of the overall security situation, on
September 10, 2010, the Consulate General in Monterrey
became a partially unaccompanied post with no minor
dependents of U.S. government employees permitted. 22. TCOs continue to use stolen cars and trucks to create
roadblocks or "blockades" on major thoroughfares,
preventing the military or police from responding to
criminal activity in Monterrey and the surrounding
areas. Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and
the United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and
Matamoros/Reynosa) have been targeted for robbery that
has resulted in violence. They have also been caught in
incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law
enforcement. In 2010, TCOs kidnapped guests out of
reputable hotels in the downtown Monterrey area, blocking
off adjoining streets to prevent law enforcement
response. TCOs have also regularly attacked local
government facilities, prisons and police stations, and
engaged in public shootouts with the military and between
themselves. Pedestrians and innocent bystanders have
been killed in these incidents.23. The number of kidnappings and disappearances in
Monterrey, and increasingly throughout Monterrey's
consular district, is of particular concern. Both the
local and expatriate communities have been victimized and
local law enforcement has provided little to no response.
In addition, police have been implicated in some of these
incidents. Travelers and residents are strongly advised
to lower their profile and avoid displaying any evidence
of wealth that might draw attention.24. Tamaulipas: You should defer non-essential travel to
the state of Tamaulipas. In an effort to prevent the
military or police from responding to criminal activity,
TCOs have set up roadblocks or "blockades" in various
parts of Nuevo Laredo in which armed gunmen carjack and
rob unsuspecting drivers. These blockades occur without
warning and at all times, day and night. The Consulate
General prohibits employees from entering the
entertainment zone in Nuevo Laredo known as "Boys
Town" because of concerns about violent crime in that
area. U.S. government employees are currently restricted
from travelling on the highway between Nuevo Laredo and
Monterrey, as well as on Mexican Highway 2 towards
Reynosa or Ciudad Acuqa due to security concerns.25. Be aware of the risks posed by armed robbery and
carjacking on state highways throughout Tamaulipas. In
January 2011, a U.S. citizen was murdered in what appears
to have been a failed carjacking attempt. While no
highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe,
many of the crimes reported to the U.S. Consulate General
in Matamoros took place along the Matamoros-Tampico
highway, particularly around San Fernando and the area
north of Tampico.Crime and Violence in Other Parts of Mexico 26. While security concerns are particularly acute in the
northern border region, you should be aware of situations
that could affect your safety in other parts of Mexico.27. Sinaloa and Southern Sonora: One of Mexico's most
powerful TCOs 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. You should defer non-
essential travel to Culiacan and exercise extreme caution
when visiting the rest of the state. Travel off the toll
roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous
and should be avoided.28. In the last year, the city of Mazatlan has
experienced a level of violence, primarily confrontations
between TCOs, not seen before. In 2010 there were over
300 narcotics-related murders within the city, compared
to fewer than 100 in 2009. You are encouraged to visit
Mazatlan during daylight hours and limit the time you
spend outside tourist centers. Exercise caution during
late night and early morning hours when most violent
crimes occur.29. Highway robbery and carjacking are ongoing security
concerns for travelers on the Mexican toll road Highway
15 in Sonora and on Maxipista Benito Juarez in Sinaloa.
These highways are known to be particularly dangerous at
night when roadside robberies occur. When traveling in
Sinaloa, U.S. government employees are required to use
armored vehicles and may only travel in daylight hours.30. San Luis Potosi: In February 2011, one U.S.
government employee was killed and another wounded when
they were attacked in their U.S. government vehicle on
Highway 57 near Santa Maria del Rio. The incident
remains under investigation. Cartel violence and highway
lawlessness have increased throughout the state and are a
continuing security concern. All official U.S.
government employees and their families have been advised
to defer travel on the entire stretch of highway 57D in
San Luis Potosi as well as travel in the state east of
highway 57D towards Tamaulipas. You should defer non-
essential travel in these areas.31. Nayarit and Jalisco: Official U.S. government
employees are prohibited from traveling to Colotlan,
Jalisco, and Yahualica, Jalisco, both near the Zacatecas
border, because of an increasingly volatile security
situation. Concerns include roadblocks placed by
individuals posing as police or military personnel and
recent gun battles between rival TCOs involving automatic
weapons. You should defer non-essential travel to these
cities. In addition, the border areas between Jalisco
state and the states of Zacatecas and Michoacan, as well
as southern Nayarit state including the city of Tepic,
have been sites of violence and crime involving TCOs.
You should exercise extreme caution when traveling in
these areas. Due to recent TCO-mounted road blockades
between the Guadalajara airport and the Guadalajara
metropolitan areas, U.S. government employees are only
authorized to travel between Guadalajara and the
Guadalajara Airport during daylight hours.32. Michoacan: You should defer non-essential travel to
the State of Michoacan, which is home to another of
Mexico's most dangerous TCOs, "La Familia". Attacks on
government officials and law enforcement and military
personnel, and other incidents of TCO-related violence,
have occurred throughout Michoacan, including in and
around the capital of Morelia and in the vicinity of the
world famous butterfly sanctuaries in the eastern part of
the State.33. Guerrero and Morelos: You should exercise extreme
caution when traveling in the northwestern part of the
state of Guerrero, which has a strong TCO presence. Do
not take the dangerous, isolated road through Ciudad
Altamirano to the beach resorts of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
and exercise caution traveling on the coastal road
between Acapulco and Ixtapa due to the risk of roadblocks
and carjackings. Numerous incidents of narcotics-related
violence have occurred in the city of Cuernavaca, in the
State of Morelos, a popular destination for American
language students.34. Downtown Acapulco and surrounding areas have seen a
significant increase in narcotics-related violence in the
last year. Incidents have included daylight gunfights
and murders of law enforcement personnel and some have
resulted in the deaths of innocent bystanders. Due to
the unpredictable nature of this violence, you should
exercise extreme caution when visiting downtown Acapulco.
To reduce risks, tourists should not visit the downtown
area at night and should remain in clearly identifiable
tourist areas. In general, the popular tourist area of
Diamante just south of the city has not been affected by
the increasing violence.Further Information 35. You 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. 36. 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!!"37. 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. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular
Affairs page on Facebook as well. 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 outside the United States and Canada, 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). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas
are encouraged to enroll with the State Department's
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at travel.state.gov.
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 at ACSMexicoCity@state.gov.Consulates (with consular districts): 38. 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:39. Acapulco: Hotel Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 -
Suite 14, telephone (011)(52)(744) 481-0100 or
(011)(52)(744) 484-0300.
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4, Plaza Nautica,
col. Centro, telephone (011)(52)(624) 143-3566.
Canczn: Blvd. Kukulcan Km 13 ZH Torre La Europea,
Despacho 301 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico C.P. 77500;
telephone (011)(52)(998) 883-0272.Ciudad Acuqa: Closed
until further notice.
Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal,
(Parque Juarez 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.
Mazatlan: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone
(011)(52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcala 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
Rodrmguez, telephone: (011)(52)(899) 923 - 9331.
San Luis Potosm: 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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