new travel advisory: the u.s. state department updates its warnings for mexico amid frequent violent crimes

chamuditha prabhath jayasena -

New Travel Advisory: U.S. Updates Warnings for Mexico Amid Violent Crimes

The U.S. State Department has released a revised travel advisory for Mexico, emphasizing the prevalence of violent crimes including murder, kidnapping, and robbery across various states.

Key Highlights of the Travel Advisory

Severe Travel Warnings:

Travelers are advised against visiting several regions due to compelling crime rates:

  • Do Not Travel to:
    • Colima: High risk of crime and kidnapping.
    • Guerrero: Significant crime concerns.
    • Michoacán: Ongoing crime issues.
    • Sinaloa: Elevated crime levels.
    • Tamaulipas: Noted for extensive crime and kidnapping.
    • Zacatecas: High incidence of crime and kidnapping.
  • Reconsider Your Trip:
    • Baja California: Crime and kidnapping risks.
    • Chiapas: Crime-related concerns.
    • Chihuahua: High risk of crime and kidnapping.
    • Guanajuato: Elevated crime rates.
    • Jalisco: Crime and kidnapping concerns.
    • Morelos: Significant crime issues.
    • Sonora: High risks of crime and kidnapping.
  • Exercise Caution in:
    • Aguascalientes: Crime concerns.
    • Baja California Sur: Noted for crime.
    • Coahuila: Crime-related issues.
    • Durango: Elevated crime risks.
    • Hidalgo: Significant crime levels.
    • Mexico City: Increased crime rates.
    • State of Mexico: Risks of crime and kidnapping.
    • Nayarit: Crime concerns.
    • Nuevo Leon: High crime rates.
    • Oaxaca: Elevated crime levels.
    • Puebla: Risks of crime and kidnapping.
    • Queretaro: Crime-related issues.
    • Quintana Roo: Under heightened caution for crime, including Cancun.
    • San Luis Potosi: Crime and kidnapping risks.
    • Tabasco: Elevated crime concerns.
    • Tlaxcala: Significant crime issues.
    • Veracruz: Noted for crime.

Additional Restrictions for U.S. Government Personnel

U.S. officials face travel limitations, including:

  • Restrictions on nighttime travel between cities.
  • Prohibition on hailing street taxis.

General Recommendations

Travelers should remain informed and take precautions while visiting Campeche and Yucatan, the only states with a "normal caution" designation.

For detailed travel updates, refer to the official U.S. State Department website. Always prioritize safety when traveling to Mexico.