Travel Advisory for Mexico Extended
April 26, 2005
On April 26, 2005 the US State Department extended the
travel advisory issued in January for another 90 days. Citing criminal
activity along the border region, the statement contained much of the same
wording from the previous statement. Extension of the statement was not
noted by US media.
Quoting the State department warning, "Violent
criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations
struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along
the U.S.-Mexico border. This has resulted in a wave of violence aimed
primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, criminal justice
officials and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents,
including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and
kidnappings in the border region."
An additional search for crime statistics in the
affected region was noticeably absent from internet resources.
In retaliation for the travel statement issued in
January, the Baja California governor's office issued a travel warning to
it's citizens on travel to California where "there are reports
indicating crime levels continue to rise, particularly against Mexican
tourists."
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Mexico's
top Cabinet officer, Interior Secretary Santiago Creel, said in a nationwide
television interview Thursday that the U.S. warning issued Wednesday "went
too far." He said the United States shares responsibility for problems of
violence and drug
 traffic.The vagaries of the announcement were poorly amplified by
reports circulated in US media, defining the area of concern as “Northern
Mexico’, painting the region with a rather broad brush. Whereas; the violence referred to in the US
'Announcement' is specific to a handful of
border towns.
On February 4, the University of Arizona and Arizona
State University
advised its student against travel to Mexico for Spring Break.
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And we quote:
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. (more…)
 The
Public Announcement is short of the impact of a Travel Advisory, but the
action met with instant reaction from Mexico City. Mexico's foreign
secretary is calling a U.S. State Department alert to Americans traveling
along the border "exaggerated." From the perspective of travel throughout
the majority of Baja, it is highly exaggerated.
.
Improvements in roads, accommodations, attractions and public safety all
serve to make travel throughout the majority of Baja more inviting than ever
before. After several slow tourism years following 9/11, The Baja tourist
industries eagerly await this seasons guests
 Also
on January 26th, the US Ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza made a blistering
statement to Mexican officials regarding the general
lawlessness of these border towns and the responsibility of the federal
government to get things under control.
John Naland, the U.S. consul general in Matamoros said,
“..the straw that broke the broke the camel’s back was the murder of six
‘innocent civilians’ on the streets of Matamoros.” The six were prison
guards at a high security prison where several drug kingpins are
incarcerated, which might call into question their ‘innocence’. (more...)
 Luis
Ernesto Derbez, Mexico's foreign secretary, says his nation has proved that
it is successfully combating violence and drug trafficking in the region. In
fact, much of the instability in Tijuana is a result of the arrest of
Benjamín Arellano Félix and death of Ramón Arellano Félix of the Arellano
Félix cartel in 2002.
(Map of Current Cartel Turf)
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Although the statement's focus was those who come to Mexico to party in
border towns, it appeared to also caution those headed to popular
destinations like Acapulco, Cancun and Cabo.
 A
little perspective: The murder rate for January, 2005 in Tijuana is high,
30-41 people, depending on the source. This rate is on a par with Los
Angeles, which is about three and a half times the population. A bulk of
these murders were attributed to drug traffic, two involved police
officials and none that I could find reported, involved tourists.
There have been 27
incidents along the Texas/Mexico border, some referred to as “ATM
Kidnappings” and other incidence of violence involving tourists. This is
not news. In fact, there is an organization in Texas that seeks to find
information for the families of almost 200 people missing in the Texas
border area over the last decade.
The Mexican government acknowledges these issues.
Avoiding travel problems is as simple in Mexico as it is in any other
tourist destination. Solo travelers and those heavily under the influence
make easier targets. If travelers frequent more established tourist venues and avoid seedy establishments and bad
neighborhoods they will find that the climate for tourism in Mexico has
never been better.
In Baja Sur for example, roadways have been improved,
facilities have been expanded and corruption is on the defensive.
 The
Malecon in La Paz has been completed and makes an excellent place to take
an evening stroll with confidence. Loreto is expanding air service and
developing long term retirement and resort communities. In Los Cabos,
development is almost frantic. New restaurants and resort destinations
anxiously await this years winter tourists.
So, what is the purpose of a Public Announcement at
this time? Spring Break is upon us and the throngs of college students
will now be aware of the need for increased vigilance. However, the
diplomatic severity of a travel announcement is usually reserved to apply
political pressures in a heavier style, to broader issues.
There are
many
theories as to why the Bush administration would put Mexico on a par
with other countries which have travel advisories, which include Israel,
Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan.
Trafficking people and goods (including drugs) across
the border has long been a profitable business in many border towns, and
in many countries. Perhaps, this power struggle within the criminal
element makes the Department of Homeland Security nervous, when the Feds
can’t stop up to
15 thousand people a day from crossing the border illegally.
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