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Do Not Travel: New US Travel Advisory for Mexico

Do Not Travel: New US Travel Advisory for Mexico
Do Not Travel: New US Travel Advisory for Mexico
Written by Harry Johnson

While Mexican authorities are successfully working with specialists such as safety and tourism security expert Dr. Peter Tarlow to keep tourism regions safe, other regions of the country not known as tourism hotspots suffer from violence and gang wars promopting the US embassy to issue a Do Not Travel warnings for these regions.

The United States has issued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning for certain areas of Mexico, due to “crime and kidnapping.” The area in “Do Not Travel” advisory are not tourist destinations.

The “Do Not Travel” advisory was issued for the following regions in Mexico: Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, San Fernando and Tamaulipas

US citizens are strongly advised to avoid traveling to these regions unless it is absolutely essential.

With thousands of Americans visiting Mexico for spring break annually, this advisory may force many to reconsider their travel arrangements.

Given Mexico’s status as a popular tourist destination, the US Embassy issues its annual Message for US Citizens regarding Spring Break Travel. This document outlines important considerations for travelers to Mexico, including safety precautions to take while in the country.

Recently, the US Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued the following advisory advisory:

The US Consulate is aware of increasingly frequent gun battles occurring in and around Reynosa in the late night and early morning hours. Separately, the state of Tamaulipas has issued a warning to avoid moving or touching improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have been found in and around the area of Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando along dirt and secondary roads. IEDs are being increasingly manufactured and used by criminal organizations in this region. An IED destroyed a Government of Mexico (Conagua) official vehicle in Rio Bravo and injured its occupant on January 23.

As a precaution, U.S. government employees have been ordered to avoid all travel in and around Reynosa and Rio Bravo outside of daylight hours and to avoid dirt roads throughout Tamaulipas. The State Department’s Travel Advisory for Tamaulipas is Level 4 – Do Not Travel Due to Crime and Kidnapping.

Actions to Take: 

  • Avoid dirt roads. Stay on paved roads.
  • Do not touch unknown objects in or near roads.
  • Plan travel during daylight hours
  • Monitor local media for updates.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Notify friends and family of your safety.

In addition to five areas placed under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, the following regions have also been placed under a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) alert:

Baja California – Crime and Kidnapping

  • Chiapas – Crime
  • Chihuahua – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Guanajuato – Crime
  • Jalisco – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Morelos – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Sonora – Crime and Kidnapping

and a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) alert:

  • Aguascalientes – Crime
  • Baja California Sur – Crime
  • Coahuila – Crime
  • Dorango – Crime
  • Hidalgo – Crime
  • Mexico City – Crime
  • Mexico State – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Nayarit – Crime
  • Nuevo – Crime
  • Oaxaca – Crime
  • Puebla – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Queretaro – Crime
  • Quintana Roo – Crime
  • San Luis Potosi – Crime and Kidnapping
  • Tobasco – Crime
  • Tlaxcala – Crime
  • Veracruz – Crime

The United States Government wants ensure the safety of all US citizens traveling to Mexico. Although many tourists visit the country without experiencing any problems, due to the recent sharp spike in crime rates, the likelihood of becoming a victim in Mexico is significantly higher in comparison to many other international destinations.

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