State says beware parts of Mexico
Beleaguered Mexico has a new problem: in the wake of spring breakers getting ready to leave, the US Department of State issued travel alerts for anyone visiting or living in parts of that country.
The most recent warning comes after two US citizens were abducted and murdered in Chicuahua as the drug cartels fight to take control over border routes into the US. This follows earlier swine flu fears.
"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 organization," said a travel alert on the Department’s Web site.
The Department of State said that while millions of Americans live and travel to Mexico, the recent increase in violence has authorities on high alert. Residents are being asked to avoid areas that are known for prostitution and drug dealing.
The US Embassy is urging citizens residing or traveling to parts of Michoacán, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua to delay unnecessary travel plans.
The US Mission in Mexico currently restricts non-essential travel for US government employees assigned to Mexico 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.
Mexican authorities report that more than 2,600 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2009.
The Mexican Drug cartels and Mexican Security services are at war for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to federal officials.
The US government is asking that all citizens cooperate at official checkpoints while traveling on the Mexican highways.
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 the crossfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement.
The travel warning is in effect until Aug. 20 of this year.
Many universities have issued travel advisories and are asking students to reconsider their trips.
By David Wilkening
David
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