| Washington,
DC � February 2005 � This Public Announcement is being issued to alert
U.S. citizens to the current security situation along the Mexican side
of the U.S.-Mexico border in the wake of increased violence among drug
traffickers. Although the majority of travelers in the region visit without
mishap, violent criminal activity, including murder and kidnapping, in
Mexico�s northern border region has increased. The overwhelming majority
of the victims of violent crime have been Mexican citizens. Nonetheless,
U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk posed by the deteriorating security
situation. This Public Announcement expires on April 25, 2005.
Violent
criminal activity along the U.S.-Mexico border has increased as a product
of a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative
narcotics trade along the border. The leaders of several major criminal
organizations have been arrested, creating a power vacuum. This has resulted
in a wave of violence aimed primarily at members of those trafficking organizations
and criminal justice officials. However, foreign visitors, including Americans,
have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border
region in recent months.
Mexico�s
police forces suffer from lack of funds and training, and the judicial
system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive
array of weapons, know there is little chance they will be caught and punished.
In some cases, assailants have been wearing full or partial police uniforms
and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles, indicating some elements
of the police might be involved.
U.S.
citizens are urged to be especially aware of safety and security concerns
when visiting the border region. The majority of the thousands of U.S.
citizens who cross the border each day do so safely, exercising common-sense
precautions such as visiting only the legitimate business and tourism areas
of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that
red-light districts and neighborhoods where street drug dealing occurs
be avoided.
U.S.
citizens who are victims of crime in the border region are urged to contact
the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. consulate for advice and assistance.
The
U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, which covers the states of Baja California
Norte and Baja California Sur, is located at Ave. Tapachula 96, Colonia
Hipódromo. The Consulate General�s telephone number is (52)(664)
622-7400, the fax for the office of American Citizen Services is (664)
686-1168, and the Consulate General�s web address is www.usembassy-mexico.gov/tijuana/Teacs.htm.
The
U.S. Consulate in Nogales, which covers northern Sonora, is located at
Calle San Jose, Fraccionamiento Los Alamos. The Consulate�s telephone number
is (52)(631) 313-4820, the fax for the Consulate is (52) (631) 313-46-52,
the e-mail address for the Consulate is nogales7@prodigy.net.mx
and the Consulate�s web address is www.usembassy-mexico.gov/nogales/NE_Introduction.htm.
The
U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juárez, which covers the state
of Chihuahua, is located at Avenida Lopez Mateos 924 Norte. The Consulate
General�s telephone number is (52)(656) 611-3000, the fax for the Consulate
General is (656) 616-9056, the e-mail address for the Consulate General�s
Office of American Citizen Services is cdjamericancitizens@state.gov,
and the Consulate General�s web address is usembassy.state.gov/posts/mx2/wwwhmain.html.
The
U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, which covers northern Coahuila and northwestern
Tamaulipas states, is located at Calle Allende 3330, Colonia Jardin. The
Consulate�s telephone number is (52)(867) 714-0512, the e-mail address
for the Consulate�s Office of American Citizen Services is NuevoLaredo-ACS@state.gov,
and the Consulate�s web address is nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/nuevolaredo/index.html.
The
U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, which covers eastern and southern Tamaulipas
state, is located at Calle Primera #2002, Colonia Jardin. The Consulate�s
telephone number is (52)(868) 812-4402, the fax for the Consulate is (868)
812-2171, and the Consulate�s web address is www.usembassy-mexico.gov/matamoros/matamoros1.html.
Americans
living or traveling in Mexico are encouraged to register with the nearest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department�s travel registration
website, travelregistration.state.gov,
and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Mexico.
Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier
for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
Updated
information on travel and security for Mexico may be obtained from the
Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the U.S., or from
overseas, 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information
Sheet for Mexico, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the travel
publication A Safe Trip Abroad, all of which are available on the State
Department�s Internet site at travel.state.gov.
Contact:
Office
of Policy & Public Affairs
202-647-1488 |