Travel Warning U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs (Mexico)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE ^ | November 20, 2012

[SwinneySwitch]

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico. General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately below. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below.

This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated February 8, 2012 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.

General Conditions:

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality. 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, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The TCOs themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. As a result, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.

[SwinneySwitch]

Never been safer.

[Grams A]

I thought Big J told us there was absolutely no violence in Mexico. Another conflict of information coming out of DC? Surely not.

We used to stroll leisurely all around the border cities, in the market areas and in Cancun with never a fear. There is not enough money to pay me to do it again nor do we go anywhere in Texas south of Victoria any more.

[WellyP]

Been in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta for a while. Haven't seen any problems but I don't go looking for it. People have been very nice but the whole place reminds me of Naples, Fla., land of the “nearly dead and newly weds”

[WellyP]

Been in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta for a while. Haven't seen any problems but I don't go looking for it. People have been very nice but the whole place reminds me of Naples, Fla., land of the “nearly dead and newly weds”

[SkyDancer]

If you want a taste of Mexico just go to Olvera Street in LA.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

About 1987 my brother-in-law and his wife visited us from Germany. We took them to the border near San Diego. We also took our daughter who was then 2 years old. We went right up to the gate into Mexico. My daughter was standing about two feet from me. A United States Border officer came up to me and advised I pick my daughter up and hold her as there were kidnappings of children wherein they would snatch the child, run across the border, and the child would never be seen again. Lord! Even after all these years I still shudder.

These are the people we are allowing to take over our South West. These are the people we should "reach out to."

[WellyP]

Been in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta for a while. Haven't seen any problems but I don't go looking for it. People have been very nice but the whole place reminds me of Naples, Fla., land of the “nearly dead and newly weds”

[dfwgator]

Or San Antonio during Fiesta.

[SkyDancer]

Right. No reason to go south of the border, did it once. I’m up near the Canadian border and after a few visits no reason to go again. Been there, done that.

[dagogo redux]

I’m waiting for the Mexican State Department to issue an advisory for their citizens not to go to the US.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Don't laugh. The sad truth about our country, under Obama (and somewhat before that) is that foreign ministries of other foreign governments, like Australia, UK, Japan, etc. actually do issue tourist travel advisories when their citizens are visiting the United States and to take all care of falling into high crime areas, or being a victim of a stickup, hotel room break in, or pilferage of luggage(we can thank TSA and the airlines for that last one). How embarrassing!

[Gay State Conservative]

Anyone from a civilized country who sets foot in Mexico for *any* reason needs his/her head examined.*I* never have...and never will.

[Grams A]

We spent a lot of time in Matomoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, particularly in the mid 70’s. It was pretty run down and dirty in some areas but a lot better than San Diego. Lots of great restaurants and loved the markets. Never wore any jewelry or took a purse and very limited cash or anything else that we would miss if it was stolen. Also never took our kids until they were teens and always kept them very close to us. Mexican girls were always hot after my oldest son trying to get him to Boys Town.