Travel alert issued for Mexico

The U.S State Department issued a travel warning for Mexico yesterday, prompted by the increasing violence on the U.S – Mexico border.

‘Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.’ You can read the full statement here.

From an insider’s point of view, I’ve not spent much time in the border cities but the reports of increasing violence are true, as BorderReporter.com can testify.

However, I would add that for those visitors planning to fly to cities in Mexico other than those on the border, the risks are minimal. For all of the bad press that Mexico City gets, the risks are as they ever were. A little street savviness and precaution can avoid a whole plethora of problems, and I would encourage visitors not to be put off visiting the major cities by this communique.

See here for a more detailed report on Mexico’s border drug violence.