Security Briefing: Crime

The information below has been excerpted from the following: 1) the US Department of State's "International Travel" website (travel.state.gov/travel/), 2) the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's "Smartraveller" website (www.smartraveller.gov.au), and 3) the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's "Foreign Travel Advice" website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/). Additional information is available from these sources. World Trade Press annually assesses the information presented on this page.

United States: Department of State International Travel Information

Crime in Mexico continues to occur at a high rate and can often be violent. Street crime, ranging from pick pocketing to armed robbery, is a serious problem in most major cities. Carjackings are also common, particularly in certain areas (see the Travel Warning for Mexico). The homicide rates in parts of Mexico have risen sharply in recent years, driven largely by violence associated with transnational criminal organizations. Ciudad Juarez and other cities along Mexico’s northern border have particularly high murder rates. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors traveling to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report incidents to the nearest police headquarters and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

The Government of Mexico has taken significant steps to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities at the federal level, which have begun putting organized criminal networks on the defensive. However, state and local police forces continue to suffer from lack of training and funding, and are a weak deterrent to criminals acting on behalf of organized crime and armed with an impressive array of weapons. In some areas, municipal police forces are widely suspected of colluding with organized crime. In others, police officers are specifically targeted by members of transnational criminal organizations. Because of the dangerous situation in which police officers operate, all travelers are advised to take a nonthreatening posture when interacting with police and to cooperate with police instructions. We further advise travelers to avoid any areas where law enforcement operations are being carried out. Significant justice reforms are underway in certain Mexican states, as well as at the federal level; however, judicial systems are often overworked, under resourced, and inefficient.

Pirated Merchandise

Counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available in Mexico. Their sale is largely controlled by organized crime. Purchase for personal use is not criminalized in Mexico; however, bringing these goods back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Personal Property

Travelers should always leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place, or avoid bringing them at all. All visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing. There have been significant numbers of incidents of pick pocketing, purse snatching, and hotel-room theft. Public transportation is a particularly popular place for pickpockets. When renting a vehicle, ensure that advertisements or labels for the rental agency are not prominently displayed on the vehicle.

Avoid leaving valuables such as identification, passport, and irreplaceable property in rental vehicles, even when locked. Some travelers have had their passports stolen from their bags within the airport, particularly during peak travel seasons. Remember to secure your passport within a zipper pocket or other safe enclosure so that it cannot be easily removed. Be vigilant of your passport even after passing through security and while waiting in a departure lounge to board your flight.

Business travelers should be aware that theft can occur even in apparently secure locations. Theft of items such as briefcases and laptops occur frequently at Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport and at business-class hotels. Passengers arriving at Mexican airports who need to obtain pesos should use the exchange counters or ATMs in the arrival/departure gate area, where access is restricted, rather than changing money after passing through Customs, where they can be observed by criminals. A number of U.S. citizens have been arrested for passing on counterfeit currency they had earlier received in change. If you receive what you believe to be a counterfeit bank note, bring it to the attention of Mexican law enforcement.

Personal Safety

Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered safe. Women traveling alone are especially vulnerable and should exercise caution, particularly at night. Some U.S Citizens have reported being raped, robbed of personal property, or abducted and then held while their credit cards were used at various businesses or Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). Individuals who have been targeted were often walking alone in isolated locations. Be very cautious in general when using ATMs in Mexico. If you must use an ATM, it should be accessed only during the business day at large protected facilities (preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at glass-enclosed, highly visible ATMs on streets). Travelers to remote or isolated hunting or fishing venues should be aware that they may be some distance from ATMs, appropriate medical services, and law enforcement or consular assistance in an emergency.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping, including the kidnapping of non-Mexicans, continues to occur. So-called express kidnappings, i.e., attempts to get quick cash in exchange for the release of an individual, have occurred in almost all of Mexico’s large cities and appear to target not only the wealthy but also the middle class. Review the sections above on personal property and personal safety for common sense actions you can take to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

A common scam throughout Mexico is ‘virtual’ kidnapping by telephone, in which the callers typically speak in a distraught voice in a ploy to elicit information about a potential victim and then use this knowledge to demand ransom for the release of the supposed victim. Information that can be used against victims may also be obtained from social networking websites. Calls are often placed by prison inmates using smuggled cellular phones. In the event of such a call, it is important to stay calm, as the vast majority of these calls are hoaxes. Do not reveal any personal information and try to speak with the victim to corroborate his/her identity. Any kidnapping, real or virtual, should be reported to the police as well as to the Embassy or nearest consulate.

Credit/Debit Card "Skimming"

Exercise caution when utilizing credit or debit cards in ATM machines or dubious locales. There have been reports of instances in which U.S. citizens in Mexico have had their card numbers “skimmed” and the money in their debit accounts stolen or their credit cards fraudulently charged. (“Skimming” is the theft of credit card information by an employee of a legitimate merchant or bank, manually copying down numbers or using a magnetic stripe reader, or using a camera and skimmer installed in an ATM machine.) In addition to skimming, the risk of physical theft of credit or debit cards also exists. To prevent such theft, the Embassy recommends that travelers keep close track of their personal belongings when out and about and that they only carry what they need. Most restaurants and other businesses will bring the credit card machine to your table so that you can keep the card in your possession at all times. If travelers choose to use credit cards, they should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity.

Buses and Public Transportation

Whenever possible, visitors should travel by bus only during daylight hours and only by first-class conveyance. Although there have been several reports of bus hijackings and robberies on toll roads, buses on toll roads have experienced a markedly lower rate of incidents than buses (second- and third-class) that travel the less secure "free" highways. Although the police have made progress in bringing this type of crime under control, armed robberies of entire busloads of passengers still occur.

Metro (subway) robberies are frequent in Mexico City, especially during crowded rush hours. If riding the metro or the city bus system, U.S. citizens should take extreme care with valuables and belongings.

Taxis

Robberies and assaults on passengers in “libre” taxis (that is, taxis not affiliated with a taxi stand) are frequent and violent in Mexico, with passengers subjected to beating, shooting, and sexual assault. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico should avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or contacted in advance. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" (regulated taxi stand – pronounced "C-T-O"), and ask the dispatcher for the driver's name and the taxi's license plate number. Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual to write down the license plate number of the cab that you entered. Avoid “libre” taxis and the Volkswagen beetle taxis altogether. Although “libre” taxis are more convenient and less expensive, these are not as well regulated, may be unregistered, and are potentially more dangerous. U.S. Embassy employees in Mexico City are prohibited from using “libre” taxis, or any taxis hailed on the street, and are authorized to use only “sitio” taxis.

Passengers arriving at any airport in Mexico should take only authorized airport taxis after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport.

Harassment/Extortion

In some instances, U.S. citizens have become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by alleged Mexican law enforcement and other officials. Mexican authorities have cooperated in investigating such cases, but one must have the officer's name, badge number, and patrol car number to pursue a complaint effectively. Please note this information if you ever have a problem with police or other officials. In addition, tourists should be wary of persons representing themselves as police officers or other officials. When in doubt, ask for identification. Be aware that offering a bribe to a public official to avoid a ticket or other penalty is a crime in Mexico.

One of the latest extortion techniques, known as the “grandparent scam”, involves calls placed by persons alleging to be attorneys or U.S. Government employees claiming that a person’s relative – nearly always a purported grandchild - has been in a car accident in Mexico and has been arrested/detained. The caller asks for a large sum of money to ensure the subject’s release. When the recipient of the call checks on their family member, they discover that the entire story is false. If the alleged detainee cannot be located in the U.S. and the family has reason to believe that the person did, in fact, travel to Mexico, contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate for assistance in determining if they have been detained by authorities. Further information on international financial scams is available on our website.

Beware of possible scams involving inflated prices for tourist-related goods and services and avoid patronizing restaurants and other service providers that do not have clearly listed prices. You should check with your hotel for the names of reputable establishments and service providers in the area.

Sexual Assault

Rape and sexual assault continue to be serious problems in resort areas. Many of these incidents occur at night or during the early morning hours, in hotel rooms, or on deserted beaches. Acquaintance rape is a serious problem. Hotel workers, taxi drivers, and security personnel have been implicated in many cases. Women should avoid being alone, particularly in isolated areas and at night. It is imperative that victims file a police report, which should include a rape “kit” exam, against the perpetrator(s) as soon as possible at the nearest police station. There have been several cases where the victim traveled back to the U.S. without filing a police report or undergoing a rape exam; their attempts to document their case later on did not carry weight with local Mexican authorities.

Some bars and nightclubs, especially in resort cities such as Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, and Tijuana, can be havens for drug dealers and petty criminals. Interaction with such individuals may put a traveler at risk. There have been instances of contamination or drugging of drinks to gain control over the patron.

See the information under "Special Circumstances" below regarding Spring Break in Mexico if you are considering visiting Mexican resort areas during February through April, when thousands of U.S. college students traditionally arrive in those areas. Additional information designed specifically for traveling students is also available on our Students Abroad website.

Transnational Crime in Mexico

Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an extensive effort to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Mexican TCOs, meanwhile, have been engaged in a vicious struggle to control trafficking routes and other criminal activity. According to the most recent homicide figures published by the Mexican government, 47,515 people were killed in narcotics-related violence in Mexico between December 1, 2006 and September 30, 2011, with 12,903 narcotics-related homicides in the first nine months of 2011 alone. While most of those killed in narcotics-related violence have been members of TCOs, innocent persons have also been killed. The number of U.S. citizens reported to the Department of State as murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to 113 in 2011.

Recent violent attacks and persistent security concerns have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to certain parts of Mexico, and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution. For detailed information on these areas and the threats involved, please refer to the Travel Warning for Mexico.

TCOs have increasingly targeted unsuspecting individuals who cross the border on a regular and predictable basis traveling between known destinations as a way to transport drugs to the U.S. They affix drugs to the undercarriage of the car while it is parked in Mexico. Once in the U.S., members of the organization will remove the packages while the vehicle is unattended. If you are a frequent border crosser, you should vary your routes and travel times as well as closely monitor your vehicle to avoid being targeted.

Victims of Crime

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Do not rely on hotel/restaurant/tour company management to make the report for you. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. Under the best of circumstances, prosecution is very difficult (a fact some assailants appear to exploit knowingly), but no criminal investigation is possible without a formal complaint to Mexican authorities.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Mexico is “066”. Although there may be English-speaking operators available, to avoid delay it is best to seek the assistance of a Spanish speaker to place the call.

Please see our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Travel Advice

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico because of high levels of violent crime and drug-related violence. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

If you are the victim of a crime, particularly if you wish to proceed to criminal investigation, you should immediately report the crime to the police.

Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping, occurs in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations and beach resorts, and the risks increase after dark. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent in popular tourist destinations, airports, hotels, bus stations and on the metro in Mexico City.

There have been reports of sexual assault, extortion and robbery being committed by individuals presenting themselves as police officers, sometimes driving automobiles resembling police vehicles.

Incidences of kidnapping are increasing and there have been allegations of complicity by police officers. You should be cautious and discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs.

'Express kidnappings', where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, continue to increase, particularly in urban areas. People travelling on the metro in Mexico City have been among those targeted. The use of ATMs located inside shopping malls during daylight hours may reduce the risk.

It is increasingly common for extortionists to call prospective victims by telephone, often posing as law enforcement or other officials, and demand payments in return for the release of an allegedly arrested family member. This is known as “virtual kidnapping”. Avoid divulging personal information to strangers over the phone and if you receive such calls you should contact local police.

For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.

Incidents of drink and food 'spiking' have occurred in bars and restaurants. Do not leave your drinks unattended in bars or nightclubs and do not accept drinks from new acquaintances.

Thieves often work in cooperation with or pose as taxi drivers. Travellers have been robbed when using taxis hailed from the street. You should only use radio-despatched taxis or taxis based at designated stands (sitios), particularly in Mexico City. Use only official taxis from airports after pre-paying the fare inside the terminal building. Official taxi company booths are located in the arrivals hall at airport terminals.

There have been a number of incidents involving travellers changing money at Mexico City airport. Gangs are known to have arranged attacks on travellers at the airport after they have changed money. You should avoid changing money at the airport if possible or change only small amounts to avoid attracting attention.

Crime levels on inter-city buses and on highways are high, and the risks increase after dark. It is recommended travellers use first class buses and travel during daylight hours. There have been a number of reported robberies of tourists travelling by bus along the Pacific Highway, including from Acapulco to Ixtapa and Huatulco.

Using toll (cuota) roads may reduce the risk of crime when driving, but you should remain vigilant, particularly when travelling on toll roads in Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and border regions as tourists have been attacked on highways in these areas. Avoid driving at night outside of major cities, including on major highways. Incidents of violent car-jackings have increased significantly, particularly in northern border areas, but also along the Pacific coast. On occasions these attacks have been carried out by heavily armed gangs posing as police officers.

Visitors travelling in large camper vans or sports utility vehicles (SUVs), on roads in and out of the United States, have been targeted by organised crime groups.

Drug-related Violence

Since 2008, Mexico has experienced a dramatic increase in drug-related violence. Violent crimes related to the drug trade, including murders, kidnappings and carjackings, have become widespread. Shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings have occurred in public places, and targeted attacks on military personnel, government officials and journalists have increased. Travellers may become victims of violence directed against others.

The Mexican government has deployed large numbers of military personnel and federal police in an effort to deal with the increasing levels of drug-related violence.

The areas most affected are the northern border states (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas), the states along the Pacific coast (Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit and Sinaloa), the central region incorporating the states of Durango, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, and the state of Veracruz on the Gulf coast. Major cities along Mexico’s border with the United States, including Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez (see below), Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Nogales, Monterrey, Piedras Negras and Reynosa, have been particularly affected.

There has been a significant increase in drug-related violence in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) since 2010. Shoot-outs at busy intersections and in restaurants have taken place. Drug cartels have erected roadblocks without warning. Gunfire has been heard throughout the city at irregular intervals and grenade attacks, car-jacking and kidnappings have occurred in Monterrey and the surrounding areas. Violent incidents continue to occur on a regular basis, including shootings in bars and public places. On 25 August 2011, gunmen attacked a casino in Monterrey, resulting in the deaths of at least 52 people.

Acapulco (Guerrero)

We advise you to exercise particular caution in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero. We strongly advise you to travel only within well-frequented tourist areas and to be alert to any suspicious activity. The general level of violence in Acapulco (Guerrero) remains high. Incidents have included shoot-outs and murders in public places. On 4 February 2013, six female Spanish tourists were staying in a beach-front house in Barra Vieja, outside the main tourist area of Acapulco, when a group of intruders broke into the house, held the women at gunpoint and raped them. The Mexican authorities are currently investigating the crime and have increased security in the area.

Drug-related violence has increased in the state of Veracruz. In September 2011, 35 bodies were dumped on a highway in Veracruz near a tourist destination. Guadalajara has also experienced increased drug-related violence.

Increased levels of drug-related violence have been reported in Zacatecas, particularly in the remote north-western region of the state, where robberies, car-jackings and violent crime are occurring with increased frequency.

Other cities affected by drug-related violence include popular tourist destinations such as Zihuatenejo, Cuernavaca, Mazatlan and the area around the Copper Canyon. Violent attacks on public bars took place in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun in August 2010.

On 24 August 2012, two US Government employees were shot at while travelling south of Mexico City on a local road in the vicinity of Tres Marias, Morelos.

Travellers should be prepared for roadblocks and random vehicle checks by the police or military. Drug cartels also set up roadblocks on roads in the northern areas of Mexico to hinder military and police movement. Deaths have occurred when motorists have not stopped at the roadblocks.

If you travel to the areas mentioned above, we advise you to be aware of your surroundings, pay close attention to your personal security, avoid isolated locations, and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. Evening activities should be restricted to well-known and well-frequented public establishments where access to safe transport is available.

Ciudad Juarez

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua) due to the very high level of drug-related violence. The city has a drug-related murder rate many times higher than the national average. While not normally targeted, foreigners and tourists have been victims of the drug-related violence in the city. If you do decide to travel to Ciudad Juarez, you should exercise extreme care. Pay very close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local sources of information about possible security and safety risks.

United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Foreign Travel Advice

Crime and violence are serious problems in Mexico. Most victims are Mexicans, many of them believed to be involved in criminal activity, but the security situation also poses risks for foreigners. Many Mexican and foreign businesses choose to hire private security. You should only travel during daylight hours. Monitor local media and inform trusted contacts of your travel plans.

The Mexican government makes efforts to protect major tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta and these areas have not seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere.

When driving, avoid isolated roads and use toll roads (‘cuotas’) whenever possible. Keep car doors locked and windows closed, especially at traffic lights. There have been a number of violent car-jackings and robberies along the Pacific Highway and you should be careful when travelling on this route. Those travelling in large camper vans or sports utility vehicles (SUVs) have been targeted in the past. If you suspect you’re being followed or watched, drive to a police station or other safe place.

Be particularly alert on public transport, at airports and in bus stations. Theft on buses is common so keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Some buses have been hijacked, particularly in the border states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon. Where possible, travel on first-class buses using toll roads, which have a lower rate of incidents than second and third class buses travelling on the less secure free (‘libre’) roads. Most first-class bus companies perform security checks when passengers board the bus.

Passengers have been robbed and assaulted by unlicensed taxi drivers, particularly in the Ixtapalapa area of Mexico City. In Mexico City, use the better regulated ‘sitio’ taxis from authorised cab ranks. At airports, use only authorised pre-paid airport taxi services.

Women travelling on their own should be particularly alert. There have been incidents of rape on urban buses (‘micros’) on routes in the south of Mexico City. Most attacks have occurred early in the morning or late at night. Several serious sexual offences have also occurred in tourist areas in Cancun. Take care even in areas close to hotels, and especially after dark.

Don’t leave food and drinks unattended in bars and restaurants. Travellers have been robbed or assaulted after being drugged.

In 2012 there were several co-ordinated muggings in the Parque Nacional de las Cumbres del Ajusco in the south of Mexico City. One report suggested the assaults were carried out by masked men dressed as police. Take extreme care in this area.

Street crime is a serious problem in major cities and tourist resort areas. Pick-pocketing is common on the Mexico City Metro. Dress down and avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Limit the amount of cash or credit/debit cards you carry with you. Keep a close watch on briefcases and luggage, even in apparently secure places like the lobby of your hotel.

Take care when withdrawing money from ATMs or exchanging money at Bureaux de Change. It’s generally safer to use ATMs during daylight hours and inside shops or malls.

Be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers trying to fine or arrest you for no apparent reason. If in doubt, ask for identification and if possible note the officer’s name, badge number, and patrol car number.

Foreign visitors and residents may be targeted by scam artists. Be wary of strangers approaching you or contacting you by phone asking for personal information or financial help. If you or your relatives or friends are asked to transfer money to Mexico make absolutely sure that it is not part of a scam and that you have properly checked with the person receiving the money that they are requesting it.

Kidnapping

Short-term opportunistic kidnapping - called ‘express kidnapping’ - can occur, particularly in urban areas. Victims are forced to withdraw funds from credit or debit cards at a cash point to secure their release. Where victims have friends or relatives living locally, a ransom may be demanded from them. You should comply with requests and not attempt to resist such attacks.

Longer-term kidnapping for financial gain also occurs, and there have been allegations of police officers being involved. Be discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs in places where you may be overheard by others.

Violence

Drug-related violence in Mexico has increased over recent years. The violence is concentrated in specific areas, and some regions are almost completely spared. Nearly all of the fatalities are suspected gang members killed in turf wars between the different organisations that compete for control of trafficking routes into the US. Drug-related violence is a particular problem in the states of Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa, Sonora and Tamaulipas. Armed clashes between security forces and drug groups can occur at any time without warning.

Outbursts of politically-motivated violence also occur from time to time in certain parts of the country, particularly in the southern states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

Baja California Norte

Public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centres and other public venues as well as large firefights have occurred in the city of Tijuana.

Chihuahua

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to Ciudad Juarez because of continued high levels of violence. Foreigners have been among the victims of violent, drug related incidents in this region.

Coahuila

The area known as ‘La Laguna’, which includes the city of Torreon, has experienced an increase in violence. Torreon has seen a number of violent attacks, many of which have taken place in bars and restaurants.

Durango

The cities of Durango and Gomez Palacio have experienced sharp increases in violence, including in popular restaurants and bars.

Guerrero (including Acapulco)

You should be extremely careful outside the main tourist areas in Acapulco. In February 2013 six female Spanish tourists were raped and held at gunpoint by masked men in their rented beach house on Playa Bonfil in Barra Vieja, which is outside the main tourist area of Acapulco.

Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara)

Guadalajara - Mexico’s second largest city - has seen a sharp rise in drug-related violence over recent years.

Michoacán

There are high levels of organised crime in Michoacán, particularly in remote rural areas and major cities like Morelia.

Nayarit

The number of drug-related murders in Nayarit has increased dramatically over recent years.

Nuevo Leon (including Monterrey)

Drug traffickers have set up temporary vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks as a means to carry out car and bus-jackings in Monterrey and other major cities in the state, including on the main road to Monterrey airport and on highways leading from Monterrey to the US border. Take extreme care on the roads between Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, as there have been reports of disappearances.

Oaxaca

The Mexican Authorities caution against travel to the area around the town of San Juan Copala.

Quintana Roo

In February 2013 there were reports of an Italian national being raped by police officers in the resort of Playa del Carmen.

Sinaloa

There have been several incidents of vehicles on Highway 15 in Sinaloa being stopped at checkpoints and money being extorted.

Sonora

The border crossings at Nogales and Agua Prieta in Sonora are known drug routes into the US. You should take extreme care in this area.

Tamaulipas

There have been violent incidents and gun battles in and around the cities of Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Matamoros and Tampico.

In May 2012, a car bomb exploded at a hotel in Nuevo Laredo. Arson attacks also occurred at three nightclubs in the city during the night. Gun battles were also reported on various streets.

In April 2011, mass graves containing at least 177 bodies were found in the municipality of San Fernando, near the US border. Most of the victims are thought to have been Central American migrants abducted from long-distance buses travelling north to the US border. The bodies of 72 Central and South American migrants were found in the same area in 2010.

Veracruz

Veracruz state has seen an upsurge in violence, blamed on a struggle between rival drug cartels for control of drug smuggling routes.

Copyright © 1993—2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.