If you’re planning a vacation, you might want to consider a recommendation from the U.S. State Department. They’re warning citizens to avoid certain areas of Mexico.
The caution comes after a recent surge in violence around popular tourist regions like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Baja California Sur.
The State Department Issued an advisory August 22, and it reads in part:
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain parts of Mexico due to the activities of criminal organizations in those areas. U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states.
As their statement continued they added, “Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight.”
The full list of cities in the warning is as follows: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua (especially Ciudad Juarez), Coahuila, Durango, Estado de Mexico, Jalisco, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca (only outside of tourist areas), Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora and Tamaulipas.
Quintana Roo comes with a particularly chilling addition that, “U.S. citizens should be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, the state of Quintana Roo experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured or killed, have occurred.”
There is no advisory in effect for other cities. Mexico City or Distrito Federal is considered perfectly safe in the statement.
Does this change your cruise plans? Feel free to let us know in the Facebook comments, and remember to like and share. We hope you have a Nicer Day!