State Department Issues Travel Warning for Mexico
The U.S. State Department put out a travel warning Tuesday for Americans traveling to parts in Mexico that have been deemed unsafe and dangerous.
The notice warns American citizens to avoid traveling to certain areas in light of an increase in violent crimes and robberies in various Mexican states.
“U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states,” the travel warning said.
“Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight,” the notice added.
Areas like Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo, where the popular tourist attraction Cancun is located, have seen dramatic increases in homicide rates and violence in 2017.
The warning said there was not any evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality.
“Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes,” the warning said.
U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico may be forced to go through government checkpoints, which are operated by military personnel or law enforcement officials.
The notice warned that in other areas, criminal organizations and cartels have created their own “unauthorized checkpoints” and have killed or abducted those who haven’t stopped.
The State Department said Americans “should cooperate at all checkpoints.”
The advisory replaces the Travel Warning for Mexico issued December 8, 2016 under the Obama administration.
The Trump administration issued a travel advisory in March to those visiting certain parts of Mexico for spring break, warning that rampant crime has made travel dangerous for Americans. (For more from the author of “State Department Issues Travel Warning for Mexico” please click HERE)
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