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Latest Message from the U.S. Consul:
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
MEXICO
April 14, 2008
This Travel Alert updates information for U.S. citizens on security situations in Mexico that may affect their activities while in that country. This supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 24, 2007, and expires on October 15, 2008.
Violence Along The U.S.-Mexico Border — 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. Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, 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. In its effort to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed military troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens are urged to cooperate with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.
Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.
Recent Mexican army and police force conflicts with heavily-armed narcotics cartels have escalated to levels equivalent to military small-unit combat and have included use of machine guns and fragmentation grenades. Confrontations have taken place in numerous towns and cities in northern Mexico, including Tijuana in the Mexican state of Baja California, and Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements there cannot be predicted.
Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Public shootouts have occurred during daylight hours near shopping areas.
Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles.
U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. While Mexican citizens overwhelmingly are the victims of these crimes, this uncertain security situation poses risks for U.S. citizens as well. Thousands of U.S. citizens cross the border safely each day, exercising common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas of border towns during daylight hours. It is strongly recommended that travelers avoid areas where prostitution and drug dealing occur. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. There is no evidence, however, that U.S. citizens are targeted because of their nationality.
U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance.
Crime and Violence in Mexico — U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country, urban and rural, including border areas. Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are specifically targeted, Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in some violent attacks, demonstrating the heightened risk in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone as a means to better ensure their safety. Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.
Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence unexpectedly. Some deaths occurred during violent demonstrations, including an American citizen who died in the 2006 violence in Oaxaca. During demonstrations or law enforcement operations, U.S. citizens are advised to remain in their homes or hotels, avoid large crowds, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas. Since the timing and routes of scheduled marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of protests. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation. Therefore, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities.
For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Country Specific Information at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.
For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Office of Citizens' Consular Services, Reforma Ave 305, Col Cuauhtemoc Mexico, D. F., Mexico CP 06500 Tel: (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000 or e-mail: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. For additional information, please refer to the Embassy website: http://usembassy-mexico.gov.
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PASSPORT RENEWALS
March 1, 2005
NEW PASSPORT SURCHARGE
This is a quick note to let you know that the fee for U.S. passports will increase via a surcharge of $12 effective March 8. If your passport is about to expire, you might want to come in a little early.
The surchage is explained in the following paragraph:
The surcharge was authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, to support enhanced border security. The Department is in the midst of a multi-year effort to increase border security by strengthening the security of the passport adjudication process and the physical passport itself. These changes impose a variety of developmental and operating costs on the Bureau of Consular Affairs. The surcharge will be used to support the issuance of a newly redesigned passport containing new security features. One of these is the addition of a biometric identifier. A chip will be embedded in the cover and will contain the same information that appears on the data page, including the bearer's picture as the biometric. The new fee will also cover the cost of sending passports by Priority Mail, a security feature that allows us to better track and account for passports.
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ATTENTION U.S. CITIZENS
August 5, 2004
NEW REGISTRATION SYSTEM
The State Department recently launched a secure online travel registration website which will allow you, as an American citizen, to record foreign trip and residence information that the Department of State can use to communicate with you and assist you in case of an emergency.
U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can access this site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or through a link on www.travel.state.gov .
We invite you to register yourself and your family and get acquainted with travel registration. If you are already registered with this Embassy/Consulate, please re-register on line to update your records.
The new Internet travel registration service for American citizens allows you to register and update your contact information on the Internet at any time, making it easier for you to keep your information current. The site also provides you with up-to-date travel information customized to your unique travel agenda and itinerary. The data you provide is secured behind Department of State firewalls, accessed only by cleared personnel in Embassies, Consulates, and the Department of State, and releasable only under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
Let us know how you like the new site. If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions about our travel registration website, please send an e-mail to CAIbrs@state.gov. If you have specific questions about your registration, contact the Embassy at ccs@usembassy.net.mx or by calling the American Citizens Services Office in Mexico City at 50-80-2000 Ext. 4780.
Citizens' Consular Services
American Embassy Mexico City
Reforma Ave 305
Col. Cuauhtémoc
México, D. F., México CP 06500
Tel: (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000, ext. 4780 or 4543
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
e-mail: ccs@usembassy.net.mx
website: usembassy-mexico.gov
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NEW PASSPORT PROCEDURES
Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling abroad who require a U.S. passport will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport incorporating a photo-digitized image and other enhanced security features. U.S. Embassies and Consulates will continue to accept and approve passport applications, but the actual passports will be produced in the United States. U.S. consular officials in Mexico anticipate that the new passports will be delivered approximately two weeks after the application is submitted.
While the Embassy encourages all citizens traveling abroad to have a valid passport, Americans living and traveling in Mexico are reminded that one is not required for return to the United States. To board an aircraft or make the land crossing, Americans need to present a valid photo I.D. and proof of citizenship. Proof of citizenship could be an expired U.S. passport, a U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a naturalization certificate.
U.S. Embassies and Consulates will continue to issue passports in emergency cases. Such passports will be limited in validity, and cannot be extended. Bearers will be required to exchange their limited validity passports for a full-validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of their emergency travel, either through passport facilities in the U.S. or U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.
Department of State travel information and publications are available at Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touchtone telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing 202-647-3000 from their fax machine.
Please direct further inquiries to the Embassy’s
e-mail address, ccs@usembassy.net.mx.
The telephone number of the Embassy is (52) (55) 5080-2000, fax (52)
(55) 5525-5040.
Website: www.usembassy-mexico.gov
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Elizabeth
Williams
U.S. Consular Agent in Ixtapa
Office: Hotel Fontan in Ixtapa on the ground floor with the entrance
on the circular driveway - do not enter the hotel lobby.
Tel. (755) 553-2100
Fax: (755) 553-2772
E-Mail:
lizwilliams@diplomats.com
consularixtapa@prodigy.net.mx
Mailing Address:
Apdo. Postal 169
Zihuatanejo, Gro. 40880
Office Hours: Monday-Friday: 1:00-5:00 p.m.
U.S
Bureau for Consular Affairs
Please visit our website for information about services for Americans
abroad, travel warnings and announcements.
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