The U.S. government has issued a travel warning for Americans going to Mexico, saying increased violence between criminal organizations has made certain parts of the country unsafe.
“U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in various Mexican states,” it says. “[However] there is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality.”
It went on to say that gun battles between criminal gangs and with police have happened in broad daylight in public places, and lists a number of places U.S. officials have been barred from traveling for non-essential business.
It also warns travelers that some criminal organizations have set up official-looking checkpoints that look like official Mexican government checkpoints, with members even wearing police or military uniforms. Travelers who have failed to stop at them have been killed or kidnapped. The U.S. government advises that travelers “cooperate at all checkpoints.”
