The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a warning to American citizens that violence and demonstrations may erupt after the recent presidential elections.
“Demonstrations and other political gatherings may occur before, during, and after the elections,” the embassy warned ahead of the Sunday contest that saw the election of Claudia Sheinbaum.
“Past demonstrations have turned violent. U.S. citizens should avoid participating in demonstrations that may be deemed political by authorities, as Mexican law prohibits political activities by foreign citizens, and participation may result in detention or deportation. A strong military and police presence is expected,” the bulletin stated.
The bulletin added that “demonstrations can be unpredictable” and called on people to “avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.” It said that people should monitor local media to get updates and follow local officials’ directions.
Sunday’s election was marred by the killing of two people at polling stations in Puebla State, officials said.
Ms. Sheinbaum, climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, took the presidency after getting more than 58 percent of the vote, according to a rapid sample count by Mexico’s electoral authority.
Her ruling coalition was also on track for a possible two-thirds supermajority in both houses of Congress, which would allow the coalition to pass constitutional reforms without opposition support, according to the range of results given by the electoral authority.
“For the first time in the 200 years of the republic I will become the first woman president of Mexico,” Ms. Sheinbaum told supporters after the election results came in earlier this week, according to a translation.
She has vowed to improve security but has given few details and the election, the most violent in Mexico’s modern history with 38 candidates murdered, has reinforced massive security problems. Many analysts say organized crime groups expanded and deepened their influence during outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s term.
Other Alerts
It comes about two weeks after the U.S. Department of State issued a “worldwide caution” alert for U.S. citizens to remain alert for possible terrorist attacks or other violent actions against Americans.In an unrelated “security alert” posted on its website, the department states that the warning was sent because of the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Americans who are overseas are encouraged to use “increased caution,” the alert states.
“Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented” by LGBT people, the bulletin states. It did not provide any specific details about any alleged or reported terrorist plots.
On May 10, the agency issued a statement to U.S. citizens in the Middle East, cautioning them to heed a travel advisory for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank because of active military operations in the area.
“Terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists, and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza,” it reads. “Terrorists and violent extremists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets [or] shopping malls, and local government facilities.”
