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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 039125 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC MX
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT - MEXICO 
 
¶1.  This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens 
on security situations in Mexico that may affect their 
activities while in that country.  This supersedes the 
Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires 
on October 15, 2008. 
 
Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between 
criminal organizations struggling for control of the 
lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico 
border.  Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug 
trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal 
justice officials, and journalists.  However, foreign 
visitors and residents, including Americans, have been 
among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the 
border region.  In its effort to combat violence, the 
government of Mexico has deployed military troops in 
various parts of the country.  U.S. citizens are urged to 
cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on 
Mexican highways. 
 
¶3.  Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with 
heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels 
equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included 
use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. 
Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and 
cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican 
state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad 
Juarez in the state of Chihuahua.  The situation in 
northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing 
of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted. 
 
¶4.  Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected 
to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in 
Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.  Dozens of U.S. citizens were 
kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007.  Public 
shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping 
areas. 
 
¶5.  Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated 
weapons.  In some cases, assailants have worn full or 
partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles 
that resemble police vehicles. 
 
¶6.  U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to 
safety and security concerns when visiting the border 
region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly  are the 
victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation 
poses risks for U.S. citizens as well.  Thousands of U.S. 
citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising 
common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate 
business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight 
hours.  It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid 
areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur. 
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens 
traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas 
including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana.  There is 
no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted 
because of their nationality. 
 
¶7.  U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to 
contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate 
or Embassy for advice and assistance. 
 
Crime and Violence in Mexico 
---------------------------- 
 
 
STATE 00039125  002 OF 003 
 
 
¶8.  U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should 
exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of 
their surroundings at all times.  Violence by criminal 
elements affects many parts of the country, urban and 
rural, including border areas.  Though there is no evidence 
that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and 
foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some 
violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in 
public places.  In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens 
have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain 
unresolved.  Moreover, new cases of disappearances and 
kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported.  No one can be 
considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of 
occupation, nationality, or other factors.  U.S. citizens 
who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican 
officials as soon as possible.  U.S. citizens should make 
every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight 
hours, particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which are 
generally more secure.  It is preferable for U.S. citizens 
to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist 
areas of the cities with more adequate security, and 
provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not 
traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling 
alone as a means to better ensure their safety.  Refrain 
from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of 
money, or other valuable items. 
 
¶9.  Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and 
usually are peaceful.  However, even demonstrations 
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and 
escalate into violence unexpectedly.  Some deaths occurred 
during violent demonstrations, including an American 
citizen who died in the 2006 violence in Oaxaca.  During 
demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens 
are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large 
crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. 
Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and 
demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens 
should monitor local media sources for new developments and 
exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of 
protests.  The Mexican Constitution prohibits political 
activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in 
detention and/or deportation.  Therefore, U.S. citizens are 
advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other 
activities that might be deemed political by Mexican 
authorities. 
 
¶10.  For more detailed information on staying safe in 
Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information 
at: 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/ cis_970.html. 
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, 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/. 
 
¶11. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, 
please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 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. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: 
 
STATE 00039125  003 OF 003 
 
 
ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's internet address is 
http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/. 
 
¶12. Consulates: 
Ciudad Juarez: Avenida Lopez Mateos 924-n, telephone 
(52)(656) 611-3000. 
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333) 268-2100. 
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (52)(662) 289- 
¶3500. 
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (52)(868) 812- 
¶4402. 
Merida: Calle 60 no. 338 k, telephone (52)(999) 942-5700 
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente, telephone 
(52)(818) 345-2120. 
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, telephone 
(52)(631) 311-8150. 
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin, telephone 
(52)(867) 714-0512. 
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-7400. 
 
¶13. Consular Agencies: 
 
Acapulco: Hotel Continental Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 
121 - local 14, telephone (52)(744) 484-0300 or (52)(744) 
469-0556. 
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4, Plaza Nautica, col. 
Centro, telephone (52)(624) 143-3566. 
Canczn:  Plaza Caracol two, second level, no. 320-323, 
Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, telephone 
(52)(998) 883-0272. 
Ciudad Acuqa:  Ocampo # 305, col. Centro, telephone 
(52)(877) 772-8661 
Cozumel:  Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, 
(Parque Juarez between Melgar and 5th ave.) 2nd floor, 
locales #8 and 9, telephone (52)(987) 872-4574. 
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo:  Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa, telephone 
(52)(755) 553-2100. 
Mazatlan:  Hotel Playa Mazatlan, Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona 
Dorada, telephone (52)(669) 916-5889. 
Oaxaca:  Macedonio Alcala no. 407, interior 20, telephone 
(52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853. 
Piedras Negras: Prol. General Cepeda no. 1900, 
Fraccionamiento Privada Blanca, telephone (52) (878) 785- 
¶1986. 
Playa del Carmen:  "The Palapa,"  Calle 1 Sur, between 
Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (52)(984) 873-0303. 
Puerto Vallarta:  Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros 
#1, Local #4, Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, 
telephone (52)(322) 222-0069. 
Reynosa:  Calle Monterrey #390, Esq. Sinaloa, Colonia 
Rodrmguez, telephone: (52)(899) 923 - 9331 
San Luis Potosm:  Edificio "Las Terrazas", Avenida 
Venustiano Carranza 2076-41, Col. Polanco, telephone: 
(52)(444) 811-7802/7803. 
San Miguel de Allende:  Dr. Hernandez Macias #72, telephone 
(52)(415) 152-2357 or (52)(415) 152-0068. 
 
¶14. Minimize considered. 
RICE