The State Department urges Americans to stay away from Mexico because of fears of kidnappings across multiple states. This warning is being renewed as spring breakers make travel plans.
In the past few weeks, the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the department has issued numerous advisories regarding the violence in Mexico. Culiacan saw a flurry of violence in January when Ovidio Guzman was arrested by authorities. He is a leader in the Sinaloa drug cartel, and the son of Joaquin “El Chapo”, a prisoner.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated that safety and security are the highest priorities of the department. He also said that officials aim to provide information to help people plan their travels. Instead of releasing a national risk assessment for Mexico, the Department provides state-by-state summaries.
State Department officials advised Americans not to travel to Colima and Guerrero, Michoacan Sinaloa Sinaloa Tamaulipas, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas due to concerns about crime.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs issued the strongest warning to the six states. It warned of shootings by gangs that injures or kills innocent people and kidnaps where tourists or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) were the targets.
According to pathologist, a Mexican lawyer who died in Mexico suffered 40 skull fractures. “Someone did it to him.”
According to the lawyer for the family, the Orange County public defender died last month while on vacation in Mexico. He had suffered multiple skull fractures.
In October, the Bureau of Consular Affairs issued its final countrywide advisory about Mexico. It also issued advisories for individual Mexican states in recent week. U.S. citizens are advised to reconsider traveling to Baja California and Sonora because of crime and kidnapping.
Last month, Orange County public defense Elliot Blair was killed while on vacation in Rosarito, California. His family believes that the 33-year old was murdered under mysterious circumstances. Mexican officials call his death accidental.
U.S. officials ask tourists to be more cautious when visiting 17 Mexican states, including Quintana Roo which is home of Cancun, a popular tourist destination. According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, there have been conflicts between Uber and Cabify drivers, and taxi unions. These have led to violence and injuries for U.S. tourists.
