U.S. State Department issues a Travel Warning for Mexico

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Mexico on February 8th. As the Spring Break season draws near, many U.S. citizens visit Mexico and U.S. travelers are warned to be aware that the Mexican government is currently engaged in an extensive effort to curb crime. At the same time, criminal organizations have launched a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activities.

As a result, U.S. citizens have fallen victim to violence including murder, gun battles, kidnappings, carjacking and highway robbery. The rising number of kidnappings and disappearances throughout Mexico is a growing concern and both locals and expats are targets. In some cases, local police officers have been implicated in these crimes.

Carjacking and highway robberies are a serious problem in many parts of the border region and some U.S. citizens have been murdered in these incidents although many victims who complied with carjacker’s requests have come away physically unharmed. It’s important to note that carjacking incidents have occurred at all times of the day or night and using a variety of techniques including running vehicles off the road, bumping vehicles, and moving vehicles to force them to stop.

U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican highways may encounter government check points, but criminals have also been known to stage their own unauthorized check points and kill or abduct motorist who fail to stop.

Read the full U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Mexico.