R 062235Z FEB 09
FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY
INFO AMEMBASSY MEXICO 
AMCONSUL MONTERREY 
SECSTATE WASHDC 3501

UNCLAS MONTERREY 000062 
 
 
FOR DS/OSAC, DS/IP/WHA AND RSO MEXICO CITY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC MX
SUBJECT: 2009 MONTERREY OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 
 
REF: 08 STATE 168473 
 
¶I. (U) OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY SITUATION: 
 
The year 2008 has seen a marked and worrisome increase in the 
overall level and brazen nature of violence throughout 
northeastern Mexico.  The American Consulate General in 
Monterrey covers five states in northern Mexico: Nuevo Leon, San 
Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Coahuila and Durango.  The geographical 
distances, lack of accurate local reporting, and inherent 
security concerns for travel, combine to make it extremely 
difficult to discern a clear picture of what is going in some 
areas of the consular district.  Conservative estimates place 
the countrywide 2008 narco-trafficking related death toll at 
about 6,000.  This is a significant up-tick from a death toll of 
approximately 2,500 in 2007.  On October 11, 2008, Organized 
Crime (OC) elements carried the fight to the doorsteps of the 
U.S. Government by lobbing an unexploded hand grenade and firing 
small arms against the US Consulate in Monterrey.  Federal, 
state and local law enforcement responded quickly and forcefully 
to the incident but have yet to make any arrests in the case. 
OC elements and drug cartels continue to attack and harass law 
enforcement institutions at all levels of the Mexican 
government, hampering its goals to stabilize the region. 
 
While proactive efforts against the cartels are ongoing, these 
policies are often stymied due to corruption at different levels 
of government.  The arrest of several high level Mexican law 
enforcement officials during 2008, including the Mexican 
director of Interpol, highlights this point.  Those that do not 
cave in to cartel influence are seen as obstacles and removed 
from the equation, as was the case in July 2008 with 
assassinations of the Federal Police Chief and his Deputy who 
were in charge of Monterrey airport security.  In the recent 
past, the violence targeted members of drug trafficking 
organizations and Mexican law enforcement officials.  However 
the cartels have shown few qualms in targeting rival cartel 
family members and risking the lives of innocent bystanders.  In 
November 2008, the Mexican military conducted a raid at a local 
warehouse; the cartels rapidly responded with a series of random 
shootings around the city of Monterrey, designed to distract and 
pull the military off its objective.  Although no one was killed 
or injured, this action placed an incalculable number of 
civilians at risk. 
 
There is no evidence to indicate that criminals are specifically 
targeting U.S. citizens.  However, foreign visitors (including 
Americans) have been among the victims of homicides and 
kidnappings in the nearby border region; a US passport does not 
act as a shield against crimes of opportunity or random 
violence.  The December 2008 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in 
Saltillo, Coahuila and the sub-par efforts by local law 
enforcement to solve the crime, are of particular concern (see 
III.C below). 
 
¶A. Crime Threats 
 
Still fairly uncommon, carjackings in Monterrey dropped slightly 
for 2008.  Vehicle theft numbers increased again as did thefts 
from vehicles.  Most vehicle break-ins were due to valuables 
being left in plain sight in parked vehicles. 
 
Home invasion robberies are rare in Monterrey but residential 
burglaries are common, especially around the holidays when many 
homes are left vacant by vacationing families. 
Centrally-monitored residential alarms are strongly encouraged. 
 
The level of bank robberies also remained about the same for 
2008 along with several reports of robberies at automated teller 
machines.  Visitors are encouraged to avoid using ATM bank 
machines in dark or isolated areas. 
 
Visitors are very vulnerable when visiting local "red-light 
districts," particularly if they are departing alone in the 
early hours of the morning.  Use caution and common sense when 
visiting any foreign country. 
 
¶B. Safety and Road Conditions 
 
If traveling by road, travelers should exercise caution at all 
times and avoid traveling at night whenever possible.  Drivers 
on extended road trips, such as those driving to the interior of 
Mexico from the U.S., should make sure to get adequate rest. 
Several Americans are killed each year in Monterrey's consular 
district in accidents involving driver fatigue.  Travelers are 
encouraged to use toll ("cuota") roads rather than the less 
secure "free" ("libre") roads where available.  It's recommended 
to travel with at least half a tank of gasoline when traveling 
in more remote areas.   In addition, travelers should not 
hitchhike or offer rides to strangers anywhere in Mexico. 
Tourists should not hike alone in backcountry areas, nor walk 
alone on lightly frequented trails. 
 
If stranded on the highway due to vehicle malfunction, dial 078 
for roadside assistance.  This service is provided free of 
charge by Mexico's Department of Tourism to all road travelers. 
More information on the services offered can be found on their 
website: 
 
http://www.sectur.gob.mx/wb2/sectur/sect_9453 _angeles_verdes 
 
 
II. (U) POLITICAL VIOLENCE: 
 
¶A. Historical Perspective 
 
American interests in Monterrey are generally not targets of 
political violence.  There is no history of American businesses 
being targeted by demonstrators. 
 
¶B. Demonstrations 
 
Small peaceful demonstrations occur at the U.S. Consulate 
periodically without incident. 
 
¶C. Terrorism 
The threat from international terrorist groups is low. 
 
¶D. Civil Unrest 
 
Large scale public demonstrations or strikes are rare in 
Monterrey.  It is recommended that travelers avoid 
demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed 
political by the Mexican authorities. The Mexican Constitution 
prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions 
may result in detention and/or deportation. 
 
III. (U) POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: 
 
¶A. Earthquakes and Floods 
 
Monterrey is prone to flash floods during the hurricane season. 
It is common for streets to flood and for parts of the city to 
be completely cut-off from other areas during periods of heavy 
rains.  Avoid driving or walking in flooded areas.  Every year 
in Monterrey, a number of deaths are attributed to pedestrians 
or vehicles being swept away by rushing water in flooded areas. 
 
Monterrey is not prone to earthquakes. 
 
¶B. Industrial and Transportation Accidents 
 
Industrial accidents are always a concern in 
highly-industrialized areas of the city and along rail lines. 
The state of Nuevo Leon has a highly-trained team (Proteccion 
Civil) that can handle most industrial accidents, including 
Hazmat spills. 
 
Transportation accidents are very common along the highways 
leading to and from the city and are often due to aggressive 
driving behavior.  Monterrey sits on one of the busiest 
transportation corridors in Mexico and many of the highways are 
crowded with trucks laden with cargo. 
 
¶C. Kidnappings 
 
In prior reporting, kidnap for ransom crimes had been viewed as 
relatively rare in the Monterrey region.  This trend is changing 
and the area has witnessed a significant rise in kidnappings 
during 2008.  Since most kidnappings are not reported to local 
authorities and are handled directly by the victim's family or 
an intermediary, it is almost impossible to determine an 
accurate number of actual abductions.  OSAC Monterrey strongly 
recommends that local authorities be contacted immediately to 
help resolve a kidnapping matter.  While traditional kidnapping 
cases are not as pervasive in Monterrey when compared to other 
hot spots, the threat is very real in all parts of Mexico and 
should not be taken for granted.  Drug-related kidnappings, 
commonly called "levantones", increased again in 2008 in the 
Monterrey area.  Unfortunately, few of these cases have positive 
outcomes and the victims are seldom found alive, if found at all. 
 
Local law enforcement has noted a changing trend in the type or 
caliber of kidnapping victims.  Kidnapping gangs began targeting 
mid-level Mexican business executives and entrepreneurs who 
could not afford elaborate security measures and would demand a 
reduced ransom, commensurate with the perceived victim's status. 
 Some analysts in Nuevo Leon stated unofficially there were 127 
reported kidnappings in 2008.  They further advised that local 
law enforcement received about two to three criminal complaints 
per day for "levantones" or drug debt related abductions. 
 
The U.S. Consulate General Monterrey was apprised of twelve 
kidnappings of US citizens in the last half of 2008. Of those 
twelve, the status of four victims remains undetermined at this 
time.  One of the most significant kidnappings for 2008 involved 
the abduction of a US businessman and anti-kidnapping 
consultant, who was conducting training in Saltillo, Coahuila. 
The victim was taken on December 10, 2008 outside of a well 
known restaurant while providing assistance to the family of a 
Mexican kidnapping victim, who is also a fellow security expert. 
 The ensuing Coahuila investigative response could be described 
as inadequate at best.  (Per Mexican law, this case has not been 
classified as a kidnapping and as such there is no requirement 
by the state attorney general or police to investigate his 
disappearance.)  At worst, they consciously elected to not 
vigorously pursue the investigation.  Up to this point, no 
ransom demands have been received. 
 
Virtual kidnapping continues to be a common theme. Extortionists 
call prospective victims on the telephone, posing as kidnappers, 
and demand payments in return for the release of an allegedly 
detained family member, usually a child.  Persons receiving such 
calls should be extremely skeptical; most such demands or 
threats are baseless.  Persons receiving such calls should 
contact the local police immediately by dialing 066. 
 
¶D. Drugs and Narco-Terrorism 
 
Narco-terrorism related violence continues to dominate much of 
the surrounding area.  In the wake of the 2007 bloody, public 
battles between rival cartel factions for dominance, a tenuous 
truce has held for most of 2008 in Monterrey.  Mexican military 
and federal police elements continue to lead the charge in 
furthering the "Not one step back" mandate of Mexican President 
Calderon.  As a result of this hard line stance, Mexican federal 
authorities are often subjects of reprisals by the cartels. 
Numerous soldiers and police have suffered brutal deaths at the 
hands of cartel enforcers during 2008 for their actions in the 
drug war.  In October 2008, nine Mexican Army soldiers were 
captured, tortured and murdered by Cartels as a direct response 
to prior Mexican military counter-narcotics actions.  Cartels 
also began adopting grotesque terror tactics from other parts of 
the world such as beheadings.  There are additional concerns as 
to what other extraterritorial terror tactics may migrate into 
Mexico. 
 
IV. (U) POLICE RESPONSE: 
 
Police response and professionalism varies widely depending on 
the municipality in the Monterrey metropolitan area.  Some 
police departments, such as the San Pedro Police in Monterrey, 
are well-trained, well-paid, and professional while police 
departments in other areas may not be as efficient or 
responsive.  Police response can vary widely depending on the 
type of emergency and area. 
 
Police corruption, as widely reported by the media, continues to 
be a problem.  Be aware that offering a bribe to a public 
official to avoid a traffic fine or other penalty is a crime in 
Mexico. 
 
Although police services may not be equal to those in the U.S., 
visitors are strongly encouraged to contact the police in an 
emergency (066).  U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with 
the police if stopped or questioned.  For information regarding 
assistance for American citizens who become victims of a crime, 
please contact the American Citizen Services office at (81) 
8342-8506. 
 
¶V. (U) MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 
 
Monterrey has adequate medical facilities.  Facilities outside 
of the metropolitan area are more limited.  In an emergency, 
dial 066 or 065 for an ambulance.  Wait times for ambulances can 
vary greatly.  Permanent residents in Monterrey are encouraged 
to contract a private ambulance service in order to ensure 
prompt service. 
 
The hospitals used more frequently by Consulate staff are: 
 
San Jose Hospital                                       8347-1011 
Av. Morones Prieto No. 3000 PTE 
Monterrey, N.L. 64710 
 
Hospital Santa Engracia                         8368-7788 
Av. Frida Kahlo #180 
San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. 66260 
 
VI. (U) TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS: 
 
Although Monterrey is reported to have lower non-drug related 
crime rates than other Mexican cities, visitors are urged to 
remain vigilant and use common sense during their stay. 
Travelers should leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a 
safe place or at home. All visitors are encouraged to make use 
of hotel safes where available, avoid wearing expensive jewelry, 
and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on 
each outing. 
 
Because of the increased threat of narco-related violence and 
crime, from time to time the US Consulate Monterrey limits 
travel of its employees to the states of Durango and the 
southern two thirds of Coahuila.  When this happens, notices 
will be sent by the consulates or Embassy and posted on the web 
indicating the nature of the concern and the expected time 
period for which the restriction would remain in place. 
 
Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, 
even when in areas generally considered safe.  Use of street or 
gypsy taxis is strongly discouraged.  Visitors are recommended 
utilize radio taxis or hotel transportation services.  Women 
traveling alone are especially vulnerable and should exercise 
caution, particularly at night.  Victims, who are almost always 
unaccompanied, have been raped, robbed of personal property, or 
abducted and then held while their credit cards were used at 
various businesses and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).  U.S. 
citizens should be very cautious in general when using ATMs in 
Mexico.  If an ATM must be used, it should be accessed only 
during the business day at large protected facilities 
(preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at 
glass-enclosed, highly visible ATMs on streets).  U.S. and 
Mexican citizens are sometimes accosted on the street and forced 
to withdraw money from their accounts using their ATM cards. 
 
VII. (U) HOW TO CONTACT THE CONSULATE: 
 
U.S. Consulate General Monterrey           (81) 8047-3100 
Av Constitucion #411 PTE 
Monterrey, N.L. 64006 
 
After hours, American Citizens needing emergency assistance from 
the Consulate may call the duty officer at 81-8362-9126. 
 
VIII. (U) OSAC COUNTRY COUNCIL: 
 
Monterrey has an active OSAC Council.  POC is RSO Michael A. 
Murphy, murphyma@state.gov, 52 81 8047-3100 ext. 3281. 
 
 
WILLIAMSON