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Local Island NEWS in English - Updated Weekly |
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News for the Week of January 30, 2012
Beginning in December 2002, Cozumel Insider was proudly the first website to provide readers the Cozumel News in English.
Articles are slected from local newspapers which we feel will be of interest to our diverse audience. These articles are then translated into English. We cannot always investigate the veracity of a particular article, but offer these translations as a reflection of the Cozumel community news just as reporters write it for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario. We appreciate hearing from our readers and welcome your questions, suggestions and comments. Please send them to: questions@cozumelinsider.com
Note: All translated articles are the property of Cozumel Insider and cannot be used, displayed or reproduced without express written permission from Cozumel Insider.
Click here for more info: Read reviews and see details of Sherri's IslaMar Villas!
September 2010 & forward NEWS NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond my control (read my blogs on the Homepage) I have been exposed to far more of Mexico than I ever thought possible. Consequently, I no longer live in the Cozumel bubble or drink the Kool Aid served up by the local press there. My view of Mexico, Quintana Roo and Cozumel is quite different now than a few months ago.
Tourism is a large part of the economic engine that runs ALL of Mexico so it’s normal for everyone to try to protect that engine at all costs. But given the fact that over 50,000 people (a/o 12/31/11) have been killed in this country, 30,000 are missing and 20,000 children have been orphaned since Calderon took office and began fighting the drug cartels, it is simply imprudent to bury one’s head in the sand and keep expecting travelers to believe the “it’s safe” story about Mexico.
Some of the news related items shared here attempt to illustrate common themes which I think are extremely important for part time islanders or travelers to understand now:
1) These are not the sleepy fishing villages of days gone by - Cancun, Playa and Cozumel tout themselves as "world class" tourism destinations with over 3 million visitors each annually and as such will attract their proportionate amounts of crime
2) There IS rising crime in these areas (so be ALERT and AWARE of your surroundings) and
3) Local/state police/judges, are for the most part, corrupt and usually complicit with criminal activity so they are not necessarily going to help you…especially if you are a foreigner. These "public servants" are only looking for a way to extort you (REALIZE you are on your OWN if anything should happen).
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| Cozumel Carnaval Dates 2012 |
Cozumel Carnaval 2012 dates have been OFFICIALLY announced
by the Municipio Office of Special Events as
February 15 - 22, 2012
Be sure to reserve hotel and diving for these dates well in advance to be here for one of Cozumel's biggest celebrations with over 135 years of tradition! For a nice, home style place to stay, please consider Sherri's IslaMar Villas. Or call toll free from USA 866 -732-8375 to check availability!
Check out the 2012 Carnaval Calander of Events for an idea of all the fun things going on!
See the latest photos from the Introduction of Candiates 2012! |
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| Major Findings In Sinking of “El Matancero” |
In 1957-1958 a group of divers who were members of the Exploration of Mexico and Watersports Club (CEDAM) began to frequent the area where the galleon was first sighted by two foreign divers. Some fragments of the original story were written by one of the two divers for the Saturday Evening Post in 1960. “Recently I came to dive for the remains of a sunken galleon, which lies next to a lonely reef off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. With me were 150 US and Mexican divers, which represented the greatest effort of exploring a wreck in this hemisphere to date. I expected to find any object to clarify, once and for all, the haunting mystery of this ship. We could not find everything, but among the 10,000 objects that we brought to the surface were things that revealed much. Besides that, from a scientific point of view, it was the richest find in the short history of American underwater archaeology. My dive buddy and I went to find a helmet incrusted in the coral. Our first attempt to salvage the ship’s cargo was thwarted by a storm. A second expedition was stopped on the brink of success by Mexican Customs authorities who believed we had discovered an enormous treasure. We had not found the treasure the officials believed, but the dive boat was filled with pewter bracelets, dishes, bronze crucifixes, medallions, spoons and the like. The Customs officials confiscated some of the objects, but we buried most of them on the coast near a solitary palm tree, vowing to return one day to the site, silently and alone.”
This proved impossible, because the story in the “Post” transformed the wreck into a renowned and intriguing target for archaeologists and adventurers. The government of Mexico was inundated with requests for official permission to dive the wreck, and after months of hesitation gave permission only to CEDAM. The club invited the two foreign discoverers of the wreck and some other interested Americans to participate in the expedition, and generously guaranteed them 23% of the booty. After months of work only cargo objects were discovered and no jewels or gold. Many of those objects reside in Cozumel’s museum.
Prior to that event there was a Cozumel captain, Claudio Canto Anduze, and a mysterious Frenchman who asked for work on the boat, and was said to have a map to a place on land where the treasure of “El Matancero” was buried. However the man died of a tropical fever and the map was lost. This story is related to tourists in Akumal where the event took place. |
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| January 2012: 113 Ships |
1/28 - This week Cozumel will close out the month of January having hosted 113 (preliminary) ships for the month which is only 1 less than the 114 seen in January 2011 and a few more than the 108 seen in January 2010. Over the past 3 years there has been a marginal 1 - 3% downward trend in overall cruise ship activity coming to the island - a statistic that is monitored closely since cruise lines are now the backbone of Cozumel's economy. According to various sources including APIQROO (the port authority) this slight decline is attributable to the cruise lines reallocating some larger ships to new routes that are visiting areas with strong business growth.
Source: Por Esto |
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| Update Posted: Sherri & Mauricio Exonerated |
| 1/19 - For those interested, an update has been posted in Sherri's blog on the INSIDER home page concerning Sherri & Mauricio's situation. Read the Update |
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| Avian Migration |
| Cozumel is visited each year by over 80 different species of birds as a stop in their migratory route at the onset of winter in North America. At least 240 species has come at least once. Migratory birds, following thermals to escape the low temperatures in Canada and the US, and take refuge in various parts of Mexico, including coastal lagoons and Cozumel. Of the 80 species that come each year to the island, there are seven that are most commonly seen in the north and south lagoons in areas that are virtually untouched. The birds with the greatest presence in Cozumel are the American Red Star, where the male is jet black with large patches of orange-red on the wings and tail. Also the American Coot, American Widgeon, Canadian Duck and wading birds called “stilts.” The ibis, a bird of medium size, relatively light body and long curved beak has a long neck and legs similar to their relatives the storks and herons. Sandpipers are other birds seen in much of the island in large numbers. |
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| Wind Farm Controversy |
| The wind energy project that the municipality is trying to bring to fruition represents an alternative of sustainability and protection of the environment for future generations, according to the Secretary of Planning and Development. He states that the project operates in harmony with the environment because it does not affect the vegetable life, the air, the climate, and does not represent a risk to the life of human beings. Protection of the environment was the political platform for state governor, Roberto Borge Angulo. The project is scheduled to be up and running next year. However, the environmental advocate Citymar (Earth, Sea and Sky) has just sent a letter to President Felipe Calderon to request consideration of a different place to build the wind farm because the current area is ecologically fragile. The letter was sent with the objective of alerting the President to the characteristics of the area that would be destroyed for solely economic and political interests. The proposed area is a large wetland with extensive mangroves, at least four protected species of plant and countless numbers of resident and migratory birds of different species, as well as reptiles and turtles who use the beaches in the area to make their nests. Citymar favors clean energy, but wants the project moved to a different area. |
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| Harbormaster Reassures That Italian Cruise Ship Accident Will Not Affect Caribbean |
| After the unfortunate accident that caused the sinking of the cruise ship “Costa Concordia” in Italian waters, the state port authority feels there will not be a negative effect either short or long term, “despite the possible psychosis that can be generated by the event.” A Spanish shipping company reported heavy cancellations following the accident. The Harbormaster stated that Cozumel, one of the most important cruise destinations in the world, will not be affected because, despite the tragic event, tourists understand that it is an isolated event, and the cruise ships are safe. He also stated that the ship was sunk by human error and geographical conditions of the island, and it would not happen in the deep sea. The cruise ship industry is taking measures to reassure their customers that there is no risk through campaigns in the media, travel agencies and their websites. |
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| 2011: 85.510 Insured Vehicles Stolen |
01/12/11 – The Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (Asociación Mexicana de Instituciones de Seguros, AMIS) announced that 2011 has marked a new high record for the number of auto thefts reported throughout Mexico. General director of AMIS, Recaredo Arias Jiménez , announced that in this past year, 85,510 insured vehicles were reported stolen, which is a 3% increase compared to the 79,731 vehicles stolen in 2010. Although this is a new high record, the overall increase over the span of a year is lower compared to the 18% increase in 2010 from 2009. The most commonly stolen cars for 2010 are the Nissan Tsuru, Nissan pick-up trucks and the Volkswagen Jetta.
According to the AMIS, the state with the most reported car thefts is the State of Mexico (Edomex) at 17,672. Nuevo León and the Federal District came in second and third on the list with 13,589 and 11,451 thefts, respectively. However, Edomex experienced one of the smallest increases in overall car thefts compared to the previous year at 3.1% and the Federal District experienced a 19% reduction compared to last year. The number of thefts in these three states combined constitutes 50% of car thefts reported throughout the country. The states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, and Coahuila experienced the highest annual increases in thefts compared to statistics from 2010. Violent car thefts became more common this year and rose drastically in the northeastern states of Sinaloa and Zacatecas, where they constituted up to 70% of general car theft crimes.
Arias Jiménez stated that this upcoming year, Mexico hopes to see a decrease in the number of car thefts. 33,604 vehicles were recovered by authorities in 2010, although a remaining 232,406 vehicles have yet to be recovered from the past 6 years. Car insurance companies are estimated to pay approximately $9 billion in reparations to insured clients who are victims of such crimes.
Sources: El Economista, Google Noticias, Proceso |
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| MX Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of Asset Siezure Laws |
01/26 - Today Mexico’s Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Federal District’s new asset seizure law (ley de extinción de dominio), denying a property owner’s request for protective judicial redress (amparo) four to one. Prior to the current asset seizure law, Mexico’s constitution had only allowed the government to seize property after fairly compensating the owner (indemnización). Due to the country’s problems with organized crime, however, Mexico modified its constitution in 2008 to allow the government to take possession of goods and property used in the perpetration of crimes such as drug and human trafficking, kidnapping, and vehicle theft.
Today’s ruling upheld the government seizure of a privately owned hospital, after a mother investigated the supposed death of her infant daughter, only to discover that the baby had, in fact, been sold to a trafficking ring by someone at the hospital. Although the decision affirmed the constitutionality of seizures without compensation to property owners, it faulted the original seizure judgment for failing to properly compensate the mother for the pain of one year’s separation from her baby. The Court held the reimbursement of her psychotherapy bills inadequate in this regard.
Today’s decision also affirmed that the Mexican constitution does not require a defendant’s criminal trial to finish before an asset seizure action can take place on property related to the crime, although hospital owners asserted otherwise. This is because the judicial processes of the criminal trial and asset seizure are two separate ones, one criminal and one civil. In the civil asset seizure proceeding, however, the government must prove that the property was somehow used for criminal purposes.
This case is the first of its kind to reach the national Supreme Court, although the Federal District’s government has succeeded in completing fifteen such criminal asset seizure proceedings under the new law since its inception. 105 more are pending. The case came to the Supreme Court at the Court’s own request, under its authority to assert jurisdiction (facultad de atracción).
In interviews with W Radio Mexico, Leticia Bonifaz, Legal Advisor to the Government of the Federal District, praised this law as an effective crime-fighting tool, because it “hits criminals where it hurts most, their financial resources.” Bonifaz assigned much credit for this case’s success to the mother of the stolen baby, who went to every possible length to push the case’s investigation and litigation forward.
Sources: W Radio Mexico, El Sol de Mexico |
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| Veracruz: Mexican Navy Takes Over Traffic Police |
1/24 - Authorities say the Mexican Navy has taken over traffic policing duties in the port city of Veracruz, which has been plagued by drug cartel violence. Veracruz state Governor Javier Duarte said in a statement Monday that two rear admirals are now the directors of traffic police in the neighboring cities of Veracruz and Boca del Rio.
The move is part of an effort to root out corruption from law enforcement and start from zero in the city of Veracruz. In December, the police departments in both cities were disbanded and taken over by the Navy. Authorities said the departments had been infiltrated by the Zetas drug cartel. In Mexico traffic police are separate from other police departments. Now with this take over of the Inter State Traffic Police in Veracruz by the Mexican Marines: The entire police agency is abolished. The Governor said the militarization of the police forces is temporary until the police forces are rebuilt from the ground up. |
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| 10/14/11 Veracruz - Consular - Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens |
10/14 - From U.S. Consulate Merida, Mexico - Consular Section - Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens
VERACRUZ
The United States Government has no higher responsibility than to serve and protect its citizens, including those who reside or are temporarily abroad. The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit provides prompt, courteous, and efficient services to United States Citizens and other clients, consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.
In recent months, the state of Veracruz has seen an increase in violence among rival criminal organizations. In response, the Government of Mexico has sent additional military and federal police to the state and recently announced the start of an operation called “Veracruz Seguro” that will be carried out by Federal and State security forces and focus on combating organized crime.
Based on the increased activity, the U.S. Embassy advises all American citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant when traveling in the State of Veracruz.
Due to the unpredictable and fluid nature of organized crime-related violence, keep in mind that serious crime can occur at any place and at any time without warning. American citizens are reminded to be conscious of their surroundings, maintain a high level of self-awareness, and report any suspicious activity immediately to Mexican authorities.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov
You can reach the U.S. Consulate in Merida by dialing our main number. From the United States, dial 011-52-999-942-5700. From within Mexico, dial 999-942-5700. You can also access us on-line via our website at http://merida.usconsulate.gov/. |
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| 4/22/11 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning |
4/22/11 - The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated September 10, 2010 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government personnel.
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. 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, crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
It is imperative that you understand the risks involved in travel to Mexico and how best to avoid dangerous situations. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.
General Conditions
Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an extensive effort to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The TCOs, meanwhile, have been engaged in a vicious struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. According to Government of Mexico figures, 34,612 people have been killed in narcotics-related violence in Mexico since December 2006. More than 15,000 narcotics-related homicides occurred in 2010, an increase of almost two-thirds compared to 2009. Most of those killed in narcotics-related violence since 2006 have been members of TCOs. However, innocent persons have also been killed as have Mexican law enforcement and military personnel.
There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship. Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution in unfamiliar areas. Bystanders, including U.S. citizens, have been injured or killed in violent incidents in various parts of the country, especially, but not exclusively in the northern border region, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence throughout Mexico. TCOs, meanwhile, engage in a wide-range of criminal activities that can directly impact U.S. citizens, including kidnapping, armed car-jacking, and extortion that can directly impact U.S. citizens. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to 111 in 2010.
The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat the TCOs. U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which are often staffed by military personnel. You are advised to cooperate with personnel at government checkpoints and mobile military patrols. TCOs have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, and killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them.
Violence along Mexican roads and highways is a particular concern in the northern border region. As a result, effective July 15, 2010, the U.S. Mission in Mexico imposed restrictions on U.S. government employees' travel. U.S. government employees and their families are not permitted to drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico or Central America. Travel by vehicle is permitted between Hermosillo and Nogales.
While violent incidents have occurred at all hours of the day and night on both modern toll ("cuotas") highways and on secondary roads, they have occurred most frequently at night and on isolated roads. To reduce risk, you are strongly urged to travel only during daylight hours throughout Mexico, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads whenever possible. For more information on road safety and crime along Mexico's roadways, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.
Due to ongoing violence and persistent security concerns, you are urged to defer non-essential travel to the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacán, and to parts of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi and Jalisco. Details on these locations, and other areas in which travelers should exercise caution, are below.
Violence along the U.S. - Mexico Border
You should be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the northern border states of Northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. Much of the country's narcotics-related violence has occurred in the border region. More than a third of all U.S. citizens killed in Mexico in 2010 whose deaths were reported to the U.S. government were killed in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Narcotics-related homicide rates in the border states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas have increased dramatically in the past two years.
Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents. Most victims who complied with carjackers at these checkpoints have reported that they were not physically harmed. Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including bumping moving vehicles to force them to stop and running vehicles off the road at high speed. There are some indications that criminals have particularly targeted newer and larger vehicles with U.S. license plates, especially dark-colored SUVs. However, victims' vehicles have included those with both Mexican and American registration and vary in type from late model SUVs and pick-up trucks to old sedans.
If you make frequent visits to border cities, you should vary your route and park in well-lighted, guarded and paid parking lots. Exercise caution when entering or exiting vehicles.
Large firefights between rival TCOs or TCOs and Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, especially in the border region. Firefights have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted. You are urged to defer travel to those areas mentioned in this Travel Warning and to exercise extreme caution when traveling throughout the northern border region.
Northern Baja California: Targeted TCO assassinations continue to take place in Northern Baja California, including the city of Tijuana. You should exercise caution in this area, particularly at night. In late 2010, turf battles between criminal groups proliferated and resulted in numerous assassinations in areas of Tijuana frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours throughout the city. In one such incident, an American citizen was shot and seriously wounded.
Nogales and Northern Sonora: You are advised to exercise caution in the city of Nogales. Northern Sonora is a key region in the international drug and human trafficking trades, and can be extremely dangerous for travelers. The U.S. Consulate requires that armored vehicles are used for official travel in the consular district of Nogales, including certain areas within the city of Nogales. The region west of Nogales, east of Sonoyta, and from Caborca north, including the towns of Saric, Tubutama and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity. You should defer non-essential travel to these areas.
You are advised to exercise caution when visiting the coastal town of Puerto Peñasco. In the past year there have been multiple incidents of TCO-related violence, including the shooting of the city's police chief. U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco are urged to cross the border at Lukeville, AZ, to limit driving through Mexico and to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours.
Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua: The situation in the state of Chihuahua, specifically Ciudad Juarez, is of special concern. Ciudad Juarez has the highest murder rate in Mexico. Mexican authorities report that more than 3,100 people were killed in Ciudad Juarez in 2010. Three persons associated with the Consulate General were murdered in March, 2010. You should defer non-essential travel to Ciudad Juarez and to the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad Juarez. U.S. citizens should also defer non-essential travel to the northwest quarter of the state of Chihuahua. From the United States, these areas are often reached through the Columbus, NM, and Fabens and Fort Hancock, TX, ports-of-entry. In both areas, U.S. citizens have been victims of narcotics-related violence. There have been incidents of narcotics-related violence in the vicinity of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua.
Durango, Coahuila and Zacatecas: Between 2006 and 2010, the number of narcotics-related murders in the State of Durango increased dramatically. Several areas in the state have seen sharp increases in violence and remain volatile and unpredictable. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the cities of Durango and Gomez Palacio. You should defer non-essential travel to these cities.
The State of Coahuila has also experienced an increase in violent crimes and narcotics-related murders. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the area known as "La Laguna", including the city of Torreon, and the city of Saltillo within the state. You should defer non-essential travel to this area, as well as to the cities of Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña due to frequent incidents of TCO-related violence.
The northwestern portion of the state of Zacatecas has become notably dangerous and insecure. Robberies and carjackings are occurring with increased frequency and both local authorities and residents have reported a surge in observed TCO activity. This area is remote, and local authorities are unable to regularly patrol it or quickly respond to incidents that occur there. The Consulate General in Monterrey restricts travel for U.S. government employees to the city of Fresnillo and the area extending northwest from Fresnillo along Highway 45 (Fresnillo-Sombrete) between Highways 44 and 49. In addition, highway 49 northwards from Fresnillo through Durango and in to Chihuahua is isolated and should be considered dangerous. You should defer non-essential travel to these areas.
Monterrey and Nuevo Leon: The level of violence and insecurity in Monterrey remains elevated. Local police and private patrols do not have the capacity to deter criminal elements or respond effectively to security incidents. As a result of a Department of State assessment of the overall security situation, on September 10, 2010, the Consulate General in Monterrey became a partially unaccompanied post with no minor dependents of U.S. government employees permitted.
TCOs continue to use stolen cars and trucks to create roadblocks or "blockades" on major thoroughfares, preventing the military or police from responding to criminal activity in Monterrey and the surrounding areas. Travelers on the highways between Monterrey and the United States (notably through Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros/Reynosa) have been targeted for robbery that has resulted in violence. They have also been caught in incidents of gunfire between criminals and Mexican law enforcement. In 2010, TCOs kidnapped guests out of reputable hotels in the downtown Monterrey area, blocking off adjoining streets to prevent law enforcement response. TCOs have also regularly attacked local government facilities, prisons and police stations, and engaged in public shootouts with the military and between themselves. Pedestrians and innocent bystanders have been killed in these incidents.
The number of kidnappings and disappearances in Monterrey, and increasingly throughout Monterrey's consular district, is of particular concern. Both the local and expatriate communities have been victimized and local law enforcement has provided little to no response. In addition, police have been implicated in some of these incidents. Travelers and residents are strongly advised to lower their profile and avoid displaying any evidence of wealth that might draw attention.
Tamaulipas: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. In an effort to prevent the military or police from responding to criminal activity, TCOs have set up roadblocks or "blockades" in various parts of Nuevo Laredo in which armed gunmen carjack and rob unsuspecting drivers. These blockades occur without warning and at all times, day and night. The Consulate General prohibits employees from entering the entertainment zone in Nuevo Laredo known as "Boys Town" because of concerns about violent crime in that area. U.S. government employees are currently restricted from travelling on the highway between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey, as well as on Mexican Highway 2 towards Reynosa or Ciudad Acuña due to security concerns.
Be aware of the risks posed by armed robbery and carjacking on state highways throughout Tamaulipas. In January 2011, a U.S. citizen was murdered in what appears to have been a failed carjacking attempt. While no highway routes through Tamaulipas are considered safe, many of the crimes reported to the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros took place along the Matamoros-Tampico highway, particularly around San Fernando and the area north of Tampico.
Crime and Violence in Other Parts of Mexico
While security concerns are particularly acute in the northern border region, you should be aware of situations that could affect your safety in other parts of Mexico.
Sinaloa and Southern Sonora: One of Mexico's most powerful TCOs is based in the state of Sinaloa. Since 2006, more homicides have occurred in the state's capital city of Culiacan than in any other city in Mexico, with the exception of Ciudad Juarez. You should defer non-essential travel to Culiacan and exercise extreme caution when visiting the rest of the state. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided.
In the last year, the city of Mazatlan has experienced a level of violence, primarily confrontations between TCOs, not seen before. In 2010 there were over 300 narcotics-related murders within the city, compared to fewer than 100 in 2009. You are encouraged to visit Mazatlan during daylight hours and limit the time you spend outside tourist centers. Exercise caution during late night and early morning hours when most violent crimes occur.
Highway robbery and carjacking are ongoing security concerns for travelers on the Mexican toll road Highway 15 in Sonora and on Maxipista Benito Juarez in Sinaloa. These highways are known to be particularly dangerous at night when roadside robberies occur. When traveling in Sinaloa, U.S. government employees are required to use armored vehicles and may only travel in daylight hours.
San Luis Potosi: In February 2011, one U.S. government employee was killed and another wounded when they were attacked in their U.S. government vehicle on Highway 57 near Santa Maria del Rio. The incident remains under investigation. Cartel violence and highway lawlessness have increased throughout the state and are a continuing security concern. All official U.S. government employees and their families have been advised to defer travel on the entire stretch of highway 57D in San Luis Potosi as well as travel in the state east of highway 57D towards Tamaulipas. You should defer non-essential travel in these areas.
Nayarit and Jalisco: Official U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Colotlan, Jalisco, and Yahualica, Jalisco, both near the Zacatecas border, because of an increasingly volatile security situation. Concerns include roadblocks placed by individuals posing as police or military personnel and recent gun battles between rival TCOs involving automatic weapons. You should defer non-essential travel to these cities. In addition, the border areas between Jalisco state and the states of Zacatecas and Michoacán, as well as southern Nayarit state including the city of Tepic, have been sites of violence and crime involving TCOs. You should exercise extreme caution when traveling in these areas. Due to recent TCO-mounted road blockades between the Guadalajara airport and the Guadalajara metropolitan areas, U.S. government employees are only authorized to travel between Guadalajara and the Guadalajara Airport during daylight hours.
Michoacán: You should defer non-essential travel to the State of Michoacán, which is home to another of Mexico's most dangerous TCOs, "La Familia". Attacks on government officials and law enforcement and military personnel, and other incidents of TCO-related violence, have occurred throughout Michoacan, including in and around the capital of Morelia and in the vicinity of the world famous butterfly sanctuaries in the eastern part of the State.
Guerrero and Morelos: You should exercise extreme caution when traveling in the northwestern part of the state of Guerrero, which has a strong TCO presence. Do not take the dangerous, isolated road through Ciudad Altamirano to the beach resorts of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo and exercise caution traveling on the coastal road between Acapulco and Ixtapa due to the risk of roadblocks and carjackings. Numerous incidents of narcotics-related violence have occurred in the city of Cuernavaca, in the State of Morelos, a popular destination for American language students.
Downtown Acapulco and surrounding areas have seen a significant increase in narcotics-related violence in the last year. Incidents have included daylight gunfights and murders of law enforcement personnel and some have resulted in the deaths of innocent bystanders. Due to the unpredictable nature of this violence, you should exercise extreme caution when visiting downtown Acapulco. To reduce risks, tourists should not visit the downtown area at night and should remain in clearly identifiable tourist areas. In general, the popular tourist area of Diamante just south of the city has not been affected by the increasing violence.
Further Information
You are encouraged to review the U.S. Embassy's Mexico Security Update. The update contains information about recent security incidents in Mexico that could affect the safety of the traveling public.
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the State Department's Country Specific Information for Mexico. Information on security and travel to popular tourist destinations is also provided in the publication: Spring Break in Mexico - Know Before You Go!
For the latest security information
U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department's internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to enroll with the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at travel.state.gov. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate. The numbers provided below for the Embassy and Consulates are available around the clock. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. |
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| TEXAS DPS Issues "Don't Go" Advisory for Mexico |
March 1 - The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging Spring Breakers to avoid traveling to Mexico because of continued violence—and reminding boaters to stay on the U.S. side of Falcon Lake.
After months of being out of service, the marine radar tower located in Puerto Abrigo should be operational soon. The latest excuse was the theft of copper wire stolen by vandals. Because of the failure of this equipment, some events occurred that were beyond the control of marine authorities, specifically the successful escape of the thieves that robbed Diamonds International downtown and made a clean getaway. The marine radar installed on the island is one of the most advanced of its kind. It is highly sensitive, cost more than a million dollars and required remodeling of the old tower in the harbor, but has not worked regularly since it was completed in May of 2009. From the beginning the facility had long periods of almost complete abandonment and operated only a very basic satellite identification of ships, but only those that carried a transponder that constantly emits information, such as the name of the ship and its destination. The sophisticated radar sweep, which would be able to detect any vessel with or without transponder, large or small, has suffered setbacks and breakdowns of the power source, and therefore was unable to detect a boat that the jewelry thieves had waiting in the north of the island.
Falcon Lake has been the scene of several robberies and a U.S. citizen’s murder, and DPS is again warning boaters to steer clear of the Mexican side of the lake. Cartel activity remains high in that area.
“While drug cartel violence is most severe in northern Mexico, it is prominent in other parts of the country as well,” said DPS Director Steven C. McCraw. “Various crime problems also exist in many popular resort areas, such as Acapulco and Cancun, and crimes against U.S citizens often go unpunished.”
So far this year, an ICE agent was killed and another injured in a suspected ambush near San Luis Potosi February 15. Two El Paso teens were gunned down February 5 in Ciudad Juarez. In January, a Texas missionary was shot in the head when she and her husband ran an illegal road block in Nuevo Leon.
In addition to U.S citizens killed so far this year, preliminary figures show as many as 65 Americans were killed in Mexico in 2010. Kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery and carjacking also are threats in parts of Mexico. Suspects have not been prosecuted in many of the cases. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 Mexican citizens have died in drug-related violence since 2006, and the violence shows no signs of abating
“Drug violence has not discriminated—innocent bystanders and people who may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time are among the casualties. Underestimating the violence in Mexico would be a mistake for parents and students,” said McCraw. “Our safety message is simple: avoid traveling to Mexico during Spring Break and stay alive.”
DPS acknowledges that many travel to Mexico without incident, but the risks cannot be ignored. Travelers are encouraged to carefully research any planned trips.
Travelers should always check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information related to security issues in Mexico. (See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html or http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_MexicoSecurityUpdate.html.)
U.S. citizens living or traveling in Mexico are urged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through their website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/. |
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