Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE87147
2009-08-21 12:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO

Tags:  CASC PTER ASEC MEX 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 087147 

SIPDIS
MEXICO PASS TO ATO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC MEX
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 087147

SIPDIS
MEXICO PASS TO ATO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC MEX
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO


1. The Department of State has issued this Travel
Alert to update security information for U.S.
citizens traveling to and living in Mexico. It
supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated
February 20, 2009, and expires on February 20,

2010.


2. While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit
Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who
cross the land border every day for study,
tourism or business),violence in the country has
increased. It is imperative that travelers
understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how
best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to
contact if one becomes a crime victim. 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.


3. Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S.
Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay
unnecessary travel to Michoacn and Chihuahua 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 to be a threat to their organization,
regardless of the individuals? citizenship.
These attacks include the abduction and murder of
two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua in July,

2009.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border


4. 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.
In order to combat violence, the government of
Mexico has deployed military troops in various
parts of the country. U.S. citizens should
cooperate fully with official checkpoints when
traveling on Mexican highways.


5. Some recent Mexican army and police
confrontations with drug cartels 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 Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Monterrey and
Ciudad Juarez. 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 non-
essential travel within the state of Durango, the
northwest quadrant 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 for US Government
employees assigned to Mexico. This restriction
was implemented in light of the 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.

STATE 00087147 002 OF 005




6. A number of areas along the border are
experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many
types of crime. Robberies, homicides, petty
thefts, and carjackings have all increased over
the last year across Mexico generally, with
notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja
California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales
are among the cities which 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.


7. The situation in the state of Chihuahua
including 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
Hancock, TX ports-of-entry. In both areas,
American citizens have been victims of drug
related violence.


8. Mexican authorities report that more than
1,000 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in
the first six-months of 2009. Additionally, this
city of 1.6 million people experienced more than
17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008.
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.


9. 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


10. Although the greatest increase in violence
has occurred on the Mexican side of the U.S.
border, 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

STATE 00087147 003 OF 005


officials, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, or
the nearest American Consulate as soon as
possible. Any U.S. visitor who suspects they are
a target should consider returning to the United
States immediately.


11. 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.


12. 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
provider 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.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings


13. Demonstrations occur frequently throughout
Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even
demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn
confrontational and escalate to violence
unexpectedly. Violent demonstrations have
resulted in deaths, including that of an American
citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. In 2008, a Mexican
Independence Day celebration was the target of a
violent attack. 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.


14. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political
activities by foreigners, and such actions may
result in detention and/or deportation. U.S.
citizens are therefore advised to avoid
participating in demonstrations or other
activities that might be deemed political by
Mexican authorities. As is always the case in
any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain
alert to their surroundings.
Further Information


15. 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. Information on security and travel to
popular tourist destinations is also provided in
the publication: "Spring Break in Mexico- Know
Before You Go!!"
at
STATE 00087147 004 OF 005


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spri ng_
break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html


16. 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 and
Canada, 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/.


17. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens
in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the
closest U.S. 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:
ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet
address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Consulates:


18. Ciudad Juarez: Paseo de la Victoria 3650,
tel. (52)(656) 227-3000.
http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/.
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333)
268-2100. http://guadalajara.usconsulate.gov/.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone
(52)(662) 289-3500.
http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov/.
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone
(52)(868) 812-4402.
http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/.
Merida: Calle 60 no. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcala
Martin, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050, telephone
(52)(999) 942-5700 or 202-250-3711 (U.S. number).
http://merida.usconsulate.gov/.
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente,
telephone (52)(818) 047-3100.
http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov/.
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora,
telephone (52)(631) 311-8150.
http://nogales.usconsulate.gov/.
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin,
telephone (52)(867) 714-0512.
http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/.
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-

7400.
http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/service.html.

Consular Agencies:


19. 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.
Cancn: Plaza Caracol two, second level, no.
320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona
Hotelera, telephone (52)(998) 883-0272 or, from
the U.S., 202-640-2511.
Ciudad Acua: Closed until further notice.

STATE 00087147 005 OF 005


Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza
Principal, (Parque Jurez between Melgar and 5th
ave.) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, telephone
(52)(987) 872-4574 or, from the U.S., 202-459-

4661.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa,
telephone (52)(755) 553-2100.
Mazatln: Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada,
telephone (52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcal 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 or, from the U.S., 202-370-

6708.
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 Rodrguez, telephone: (52)(899) 923 -
9331
San Luis Potos: 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.



20. Minimize considered.
CLINTON