Nearly two hundred U.S. citizens have been murdered in Mexico since 2013. Fierce gunfights, kidnappings, bus hijackings, car-jackings and extortion by Mexican cartels are all possibilities that could be faced by U.S. citizens travelling into Mexico. These have resulted in the murder of 181 Americans in the past two years.
In the most recent version of the travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State American citizens are warned to “avoid non-essential travel” to the Mexican border due to the continued violence.
According to the Department of State, in 2014 one hundred Americans were murdered in Mexico. In 2013, 81 Americans had a similar fate throughout the country. The number of murdered Americans added to the nearly 199 Americans who were kidnapped last year. Breitbart Texas reports paint a grim picture about the true security conditions in that country in comparison to the image painted by Mexican officials.
The newest travel advisory was issued just days before the border city of Reynosa erupted into a full scale warzone that Breitbart Texas reported. Cartel gunmen set buses and tractor trailers on fire during a fierce firefight with Mexican authorities who had been hunting the local crime boss for the Gulf Cartel.
“Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, and have occurred in broad daylight on streets and in other public venues, such as restaurants and clubs,” the travel advisory states. “During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been temporarily prevented from leaving the area. Criminal organizations have used stolen cars, buses, and trucks to create roadblocks on major thoroughfares, preventing the military and police from responding to criminal activity. The location and timing of future armed engagements is unpredictable.”
In regards to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, the State Department claims that no highway is safe since “organized criminal groups sometimes target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas. These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand ransom payments.”
As previously reported by Breitbart Texas, the once tranquil tourist hub of Baja California has become ground zero for another cartel war over lucrative drug trade routes.
“Turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens,” the U.S. Department of State warned in their new advisory. “Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.”
Within recent months, the border city of Juarez has touted its decreased crime and apparent renaissance. The Department of State; however, claims that crime continues to be a problem in the entire state of Chihuahua.
“Exercise caution in traveling to: the business and shopping districts in the northeast section of Ciudad Juarez and its major industrial parks, the central downtown section and major industrial parks in the city of Chihuahua, the town of Palomas, the urban area of the city of Ojinaga, and the towns of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes and their immediate environs,” the travel advisory states.
In regards to the state of Coahuila, U.S. Department of State claims that murders, kidnappings and armed carjackings continue to be a grave concern.
“Violence and criminal activity along the highways are continuing security concerns, particularly along the northern border between Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo,” the travel advisory states.
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