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jrpierce

Feb 8, 2012, 4:05 PM

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Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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The Department of State issued a new Travel Warning for Mexico on February 8, 2012, to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise U.S. citizens of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government personnel.

Please paste http://travel.state.gov/...a_tw/tw/tw_5665.html in to your browser in order to read the travel warning in its entirety or find it on the landing page of http://travel.state.gov.

Posted by Jim Pierce,
US Embassy Warden for the Morelia area

RickS

Feb 8, 2012, 6:22 PM

Post #2 of 16 (3098 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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So really nothing new (that I saw anyway).

chicois8

Feb 8, 2012, 6:31 PM

Post #3 of 16 (3095 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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It is to bad the guys fighting the Transnational Criminal Organizations or
(TCOs) could be named Transnational Anti Criminal Organization or the
(TACOs)

jrpierce

Feb 8, 2012, 6:50 PM

Post #4 of 16 (3087 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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Hillarious--thanks for the laugh!!

Jim

jrpierce

Feb 8, 2012, 7:03 PM

Post #5 of 16 (3083 views)

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Re: [RickS] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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Hi, Rick....

Two interesting changes I've seen so far. Since I live in Morelia, Michoacán, I'm very happy to see they excluded the cities of Morelia (and Lazaro Cárdenas) from the travel warning for the state. I've felt the warnings have been overbroad--problems somewhere in the state--mark the whole state as off limits. I think this is much more helpful to travelers. It appears they've done this in other areas, though I haven't studied it carefully enough yet to know.

The State Department's number for US Citizens murdered in Mexico during 2011 is 120--up from 111 in 2010. Though of course any murders are too many, I had heard there was going to be a large increase, and I wouldn't consider this large. Even though up, out of millions of visits by US Citizens to Mexico, I regard this as nothing to worry much about. And with some evidence that many of these were involved in the drug trade or related businesses, it seems clear that US Citizens are not being targeted nor in particular danger. Indeed, I feel that is true for expats generally.

Jim

chinagringo

Feb 8, 2012, 7:15 PM

Post #6 of 16 (3075 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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With the way that some American Gringos behave in Mexico, I am surprised that the numbers are not higher!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

jrpierce

Feb 8, 2012, 7:29 PM

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Re: [chinagringo] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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Well, I'm no expert on bad behavior by Americans in Mexico, Neil, so I defer to your superior knowledge. ;)

Jim

chinagringo

Feb 8, 2012, 8:14 PM

Post #8 of 16 (3051 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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Now Jim, you and I both know that we have both experienced Gringo Americans and other flavors of Gringos misbehaving! That just goes with the territory and certainly not up to us making excuses.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

whynotwrite

Feb 9, 2012, 11:28 AM

Post #9 of 16 (2926 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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" I'm very happy to see they excluded the cities of Morelia (and Lazaro Cárdenas) from the travel warning for the state. I've felt the warnings have been overbroad--problems somewhere in the state--mark the whole state as off limits. ..."
So do you think that may be the case for other areas of Mexico? The thought is that the US State Department may be lacking in their judgements or just may be they really have no problem painting with a big brush. So much to gain and so little to lose in their case.
Living in Mexico for many years I find the State Department warnings have been untimely, pointless, and just plain political.

jrpierce

Feb 9, 2012, 6:53 PM

Post #10 of 16 (2850 views)

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Re: [whynotwrite] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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I don't know whether the situation is the same in other areas of Mexico, but I would assume they didn't single out Michoacán for special treatment. When I have the time, I want to compare this new warning with the last one for 2011 for areas other than Michoacán.

The State Department personnel I've met in Mexico are bright and well-intentioned and trying to do the right thing. But without a doubt, at the State Department vets these warnings for a myriad of issues, including legal requirements, political issues, and many other considerations.

Whatever we may think about their warnings (and I am not nearly as critical as you are), I do know that they have huge impact with US citizens considering where to travel. I hope this encourages more Americans to visit Mexico.

Jim

Jim

Altahabana

Feb 10, 2012, 8:09 AM

Post #11 of 16 (2782 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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I received the State Department warning by e-mail from the US Consulate in Nuevo Laredo. I think it is quite different than the previous warnings both in substance and format. It is state specific and area specific within the states. It includes detailed information about certain cartel activities that might impact visitors. Specific incidents are identified by date in most instances. In general I think it paints much less alarmist picture than previous warnings. The opening statement sets the general tone.

General Conditions:
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.

(This post was edited by Altahabana on Feb 10, 2012, 8:11 AM)

jrpierce

Feb 10, 2012, 9:43 AM

Post #12 of 16 (2746 views)

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Re: [Altahabana] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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I must plead ignorance to some extent, as my crazy schedule right now has not allowed time for a careful reading and comparison with last year's. However, my quick scan of the document left me with the same impression as yours. The warnings for Michoacán are certainly more encouraging. I did notice they used the same approach in other states, however didn't recall whether that is completely new or not.

Anyway, I like this new document. As you said, I believe it will give prospective US visitors a less frightening picture of Mexico.

Jim

Brian

Feb 10, 2012, 9:46 AM

Post #13 of 16 (2742 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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The number of states for which warnings against non-essential travel have been made has been raised from 10 to 14 since the last report.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/10/us-usa-mexico-travel-idUSTRE81903520120210?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Brian

Feb 10, 2012, 10:05 AM

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Re: [whynotwrite] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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In Reply To

I agree with you in theory but, in practice, one often has to travel through the more dangerous zones in order to arrive in those two safe cities.

(This post was edited by Brian on Feb 10, 2012, 11:58 AM)

chinagringo

Feb 10, 2012, 10:10 AM

Post #15 of 16 (2730 views)

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Re: [jrpierce] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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An unusual positive article from NOB media:

http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/...bound-in-us-tourists
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

JuanCha

Feb 17, 2012, 2:22 PM

Post #16 of 16 (2422 views)

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Re: [whynotwrite] Message For U.S. Citizens - Updated Travel Warning For Mexico

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My experience with U.S. State Department bears out comments by WhyNotWrite.

In 2006 I called the State Dept. re travel to Oaxaca when USA and Mex news media were then actively and daily covering the APO teacher's strike and takeover of Cd. Oaxaca. The State Dept. person had no clue and started asking ME for info. Fortunately I had Mexicano friends in Cd. Oaxaca that kept me updated. (I went to Cd. Oaxaca during the APO Strike and was quite content).

I have traveled extensively in Mexico and grew up on the USA-Mex Border; I long ago learned to pretty much disregard anything the U.S. State Dept. has to say about Mexico. Don't expect much from any U.S. Embassy or Consulate either (generally nice but ineffective people).
JuanCha de: Santa Fe NM, San Cristobal de Las Casas Chiapas, San Diego CA