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INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO IMMEDIATE 3613

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 087147 
 
SIPDIS 
MEXICO PASS TO ATO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC MEX
SUBJECT: TRAVEL ALERT: MEXICO 
 
¶1. The Department of State has issued this Travel 
Alert to update security information for U.S. 
citizens traveling to and living in Mexico.  It 
supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated 
February 20, 2009, and expires on February 20, 
¶2010. 
 
¶2. While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit 
Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who 
cross the land border every day for study, 
tourism or business), violence in the country has 
increased.  It is imperative that travelers 
understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how 
best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to 
contact if one becomes a crime victim.  Common- 
sense precautions such as visiting only 
legitimate business and tourist areas during 
daylight hours, and avoiding areas where 
prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can 
help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and 
enjoyable. 
 
¶3. Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. 
Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay 
unnecessary travel to Michoacn and Chihuahua and 
advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in 
those areas to exercise extreme caution.  Drug 
cartels and associated criminal elements have 
retaliated violently against individuals who 
speak out against them or whom they otherwise 
view to be a threat to their organization, 
regardless of the individuals? citizenship. 
These attacks include the abduction and murder of 
two resident U.S. citizens in Chihuahua in July, 
¶2009. 
 
Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border 
 
¶4. Mexican drug cartels are engaged in violent 
conflict - both among themselves and with Mexican 
security services - for control of narcotics 
trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. 
In order to combat violence, the government of 
Mexico has deployed military troops in various 
parts of the country.  U.S. citizens should 
cooperate fully with official checkpoints when 
traveling on Mexican highways. 
 
¶5. Some recent Mexican army and police 
confrontations with drug cartels have resembled 
small-unit combat, with cartels employing 
automatic weapons and grenades.  Large firefights 
have taken place in towns and cities across 
Mexico, but occur mostly in northern Mexico, 
including Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Monterrey and 
Ciudad Juarez.  During some of these incidents, 
U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily 
prevented from leaving the area.  The U.S. 
Mission in Mexico currently restricts non- 
essential travel within the state of Durango, the 
northwest quadrant of Chihuahua and an area 
southeast of Ciudad Juarez, and all parts of the 
state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 
and 22 and the Alamos River for US Government 
employees assigned to Mexico.  This restriction 
was implemented in light of the recent increase 
in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those 
three states.  The situation in northern Mexico 
remains fluid; the location and timing of future 
armed engagements cannot be predicted. 
 
STATE 00087147  002 OF 005 
 
 
 
¶6. A number of areas along the border are 
experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many 
types of crime.  Robberies, homicides, petty 
thefts, and carjackings have all increased over 
the last year across Mexico generally, with 
notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja 
California.  Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales 
are among the cities which have experienced 
public shootouts during daylight hours in 
shopping centers and other public venues. 
Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. 
citizens traveling in their vehicles in border 
areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and 
Tijuana. 
 
¶7. The situation in the state of Chihuahua 
including Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. 
The U.S. Consulate General recommends that 
American citizens defer non-essential travel to 
the Guadalupe Bravo area southeast of Ciudad 
Juarez and to the northwest quarter of the state 
of  Chihuahua including the city of Nuevo Casas 
Grandes and surrounding communities.  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, 
American citizens have been victims of drug 
related violence. 
 
¶8. Mexican authorities report that more than 
1,000 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez in 
the first six-months of 2009.  Additionally, this 
city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 
17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008. 
U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their 
surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, 
avoid isolated locations during late night and 
early morning hours, and remain alert to news 
reports.  Visa and other service seekers visiting 
the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements 
to pay for those services using a non-cash 
method. 
 
¶9. U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety 
and security concerns when visiting the border 
region.  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.  While most crime victims are 
Mexican citizens, the uncertain security 
situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens 
as well.  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. Contact information is provided at 
the end of this message. 
 
Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico 
 
¶10. Although the greatest increase in violence 
has occurred on the Mexican side of the U.S. 
border, U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico 
should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and 
be aware of their surroundings at all times. 
Bystanders have been injured or killed in violent 
attacks in cities across the country, 
demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in 
public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. 
citizens living in Mexico have been kidnapped and 
most of their cases remain unsolved.  U.S. 
citizens who believe they are being targeted for 
kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican 
 
STATE 00087147  003 OF 005 
 
 
officials, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, or 
the nearest American Consulate as soon as 
possible.  Any U.S. visitor who suspects they are 
a target should consider returning to the United 
States immediately. 
 
¶11. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to 
travel on main roads during daylight hours, 
particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which 
generally are more secure.  When warranted, the 
U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their 
employees as well as private U.S. citizens to 
avoid certain areas, abstain from driving on 
certain roads because of dangerous conditions or 
criminal activity, or recommend driving during 
daylight hours only.  When this happens, the 
Embassy or the affected consulate will alert the 
local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the 
information on their respective websites, 
indicating the nature of the concern and the 
expected time period for which the restriction 
will remain in place. 
 
¶12. U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay 
in the well-known tourist areas.  Travelers 
should leave their itinerary with a friend or 
family member not traveling with them, avoid 
traveling alone, and check with their cellular 
provider prior to departure to confirm that their 
cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G 
international networks.  Do not display 
expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of 
money, or other valuable items. 
 
Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings 
 
¶13. Demonstrations occur frequently throughout 
Mexico and usually are peaceful.  However, even 
demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn 
confrontational and escalate to violence 
unexpectedly.  Violent demonstrations have 
resulted in deaths, including that of an American 
citizen in Oaxaca in 2006.  In 2008, a Mexican 
Independence Day celebration was the target of a 
violent attack.  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. 
 
¶14. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political 
activities by foreigners, and such actions may 
result in detention and/or deportation.  U.S. 
citizens are therefore advised to avoid 
participating in demonstrations or other 
activities that might be deemed political by 
Mexican authorities.  As is always the case in 
any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain 
alert to their surroundings. 
Further Information 
 
¶15. 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. Information on security and travel to 
popular tourist destinations is also provided in 
the publication: "Spring Break in Mexico- Know 
Before You Go!!" 
at 
STATE 00087147  004 OF 005 
 
 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spri ng_ 
break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html 
 
¶16. 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/. 
 
¶17. For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens 
in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the 
closest U.S. 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: 
ACSMexicoCity@state.gov. The Embassy's internet 
address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/. 
 
Consulates: 
 
¶18. Ciudad Juarez: Paseo de la Victoria 3650, 
tel. (52)(656) 227-3000. 
http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov/. 
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333) 
268-2100. http://guadalajara.usconsulate.gov/. 
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone 
(52)(662) 289-3500. 
http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov/. 
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone 
(52)(868) 812-4402. 
http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/. 
Merida: Calle 60 no. 338-K x 29 y 31, Col. Alcala 
Martin, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico 97050, telephone 
(52)(999) 942-5700 or 202-250-3711 (U.S. number). 
http://merida.usconsulate.gov/. 
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente, 
telephone (52)(818) 047-3100. 
http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov/. 
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, 
telephone (52)(631) 311-8150. 
http://nogales.usconsulate.gov/. 
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin, 
telephone (52)(867) 714-0512. 
http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/. 
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622- 
¶7400. 
http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/service.html. 
 
Consular Agencies: 
 
¶19. 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. 
Cancn:  Plaza Caracol two, second level, no. 
320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona 
Hotelera, telephone (52)(998) 883-0272 or, from 
the U.S., 202-640-2511. 
Ciudad Acua:  Closed until further notice. 
 
STATE 00087147  005 OF 005 
 
 
Cozumel:  Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza 
Principal, (Parque Jurez between Melgar and 5th 
ave.) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, telephone 
(52)(987) 872-4574 or, from the U.S., 202-459- 
¶4661. 
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo:  Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa, 
telephone (52)(755) 553-2100. 
Mazatln:  Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, 
telephone (52)(669) 916-5889. 
Oaxaca:  Macedonio Alcal no. 407, interior 20, 
telephone (52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853. 
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona Centro, 
Piedras Negras, Coah., Tel. (878) 782-5586. 
Playa del Carmen:  "The Palapa,"  Calle 1 Sur, 
between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone 
(52)(984) 873-0303 or, from the U.S., 202-370- 
¶6708. 
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 Rodrguez, telephone: (52)(899) 923 - 
9331 
San Luis Potos:  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. 
 
 
¶20. Minimize considered. 
CLINTON