February 20, 2009

This Travel Alert updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico. It supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated October 15, 2008, and expires on August 20, 2009.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased recently. It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.

Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico

The greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border. However, U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country, demonstrating the heightened risk of violence in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped across Mexico. Many of these cases remain unresolved. U.S. citizens who believe they are being targeted for kidnapping or other crimes should notify Mexican officials and the nearest American consulate or the Embassy as soon as possible, and should consider returning to the United States.

U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll ("cuota") roads, which generally are more secure. Occasionally, the U.S. Embassy and consulates advise their employees as well as private U.S. citizens to avoid certain areas, abstain from driving on certain roads because of dangerous conditions or criminal activity, or recommend driving during daylight hours only. When warranted, U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to or within parts of Mexico without prior approval from their supervisors. When this happens, the Embassy or the affected consulate will alert the local U.S. citizen Warden network and post the information on their respective websites, indicating the nature of the concern and the expected time period for which the restriction will remain in place. U.S. citizen visitors are encouraged to stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities. Travelers should leave their itinerary with a friend or family member not traveling with them, avoid traveling alone, and should check with their cellular provider prior to departure to confirm that their cell phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G international networks. Do not display expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.

Violence Along the U.S. - Mexico Border

Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent conflict - both among themselves and with Mexican security services - for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border. In order to combat violence, the government of Mexico has deployed troops in various parts of the country. U.S. citizens should cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on Mexican highways.

Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades. Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area. The U.S. Mission in Mexico currently restricts non-essential travel to the state of Durango and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River for U.S. government employees assigned to Mexico. This restriction was implemented in light of the recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those two states. The situation in northern Mexico remains fluid; the location and timing of future armed engagements cannot be predicted.

A number of areas along the border are experiencing rapid growth in the rates of many types of crime. Robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings have all increased over the last year across Mexico generally, with notable spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales are among the cities which have recently experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public venues. Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana.

The situation in Ciudad Juarez is of special concern. Mexican authorities report that more than 1,800 people have been killed in the city since January 2008. Additionally, this city of 1.6 million people experienced more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings in 2008. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain alert to news reports. A recent series of muggings near the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to make arrangements to pay for those services using a non-cash method.

U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. 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. While most crime victims are Mexican citizens, the uncertain security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well. 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. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

Demonstrations and Large Public Gatherings

Demonstrations occur frequently throughout Mexico and usually are peaceful. However, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate to violence unexpectedly. Violent demonstrations have resulted in deaths, including that of an American citizen in Oaxaca in 2006. In 2008, a Mexican Independence Day celebration was the target of a violent attack. 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. U.S. citizens are therefore advised to avoid participating in demonstrations or other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. As is always the case in any large gathering, U.S. citizens should remain alert to their surroundings.

Further Information

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. Information on security and travel to popular tourist destinations is also provided in the publication: "Spring Break in Mexico- Know Before You Go!!" at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts 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 and canada, or, for callers from Mexico, 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 U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Consulates:

Ciudad Juarez: Paseo de la Victoria 3650, tel. (52)(656) 227-3000. http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov.
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333) 268-2100. http://guadalajara.usconsulate.gov/.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (52)(662) 289-3500. http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov.
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (52)(868) 812-4402. http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov.
Merida: Calle 60 no. 338 k, telephone (52)(999) 942-5700. http://merida.usconsulate.gov.
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente, telephone (52)(818) 047-3100. http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov.
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, telephone (52)(631) 311-8150. http://nogales.usconsulate.gov.
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, col. Jardin, telephone (52)(867) 714-0512. http://nuevolaredo.usconsulate.gov/.
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-7400. http://tijuana.usconsulate.gov/service.html.

Consular Agencies:

Acapulco: Hotel Continental Emporio, Costera Miguel Aleman 121 - local 14, telephone (52)(744) 484-0300 or (52)(744) 469-0556.
Cabo San Lucas: Blvd. Marina local c-4, Plaza Nautica, col. Centro, telephone (52)(624) 143-3566.
Cancún: Plaza Caracol two, second level, no. 320-323, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5, Zona Hotelera, telephone (52)(998) 883-0272.
Ciudad Acuña: Ocampo # 305, col. Centro, telephone (52)(877) 772-8661
Cozumel: Plaza Villa Mar en el Centro, Plaza Principal, (Parque Juárez between Melgar and 5th ave.) 2nd floor, locales #8 and 9, telephone (52)(987) 872-4574.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo: Hotel Fontan, Blvd. Ixtapa, telephone (52)(755) 553-2100.
Mazatlán: Hotel Playa Mazatlán, Playa Gaviotas #202, Zona Dorada, telephone (52)(669) 916-5889.
Oaxaca: Macedonio Alcalá no. 407, interior 20, telephone (52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853.
Piedras Negras: Abasolo #211, Zona Centro, Piedras Negras, Coah., Tel. (878) 782-5586.
Playa del Carmen: "The Palapa," Calle 1 Sur, between Avenida 15 and Avenida 20, telephone (52)(984) 873-0303.
Puerto Vallarta: Paradise Plaza, Paseo de los Cocoteros #1, Local #4, Interior #17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, telephone (52)(322) 222-0069.
Reynosa: Calle Monterrey #390, Esq. Sinaloa, Colonia Rodríguez, telephone: (52)(899) 923 - 9331
San Luis Potosí: Edificio "Las Terrazas", Avenida Venustiano Carranza 2076-41, Col. Polanco, telephone: (52)(444) 811-7802/7803.
San Miguel de Allende: Dr. Hernandez Macias #72, telephone (52)(415) 152-2357 or (52)(415) 152-0068.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

50 US Lawmakers want Obama to ban certain firearms because of Mexican Drug Cartels

MEXICO CITY – More than 50 U.S. lawmakers sent a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to enforce a ban on importing assault weapons, saying many such guns are later smuggled south to arm Mexico's ruthless drug cartels.

"They come to the United States from Europe and other places, and they make their way down to Mexico," Rep. Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat, told reporters in Mexico City on Wednesday.

The ban was implemented under the administrations of President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, and the U.S. government can enforce it under provisions of the 1968 Gun Control Act.

But the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, has quietly abandoned the ban in recent years, the lawmakers said in their letter. The ATF declined to comment.

"As a result, the civilian firearms market is flooded with imported, inexpensive military-style assault weapons from primarily former Eastern bloc countries including Romania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia," the letter said.

All 53 lawmakers who signed were Democrats.

The ATF estimates that 90 percent of weapons seized in Mexico come from sources within the United States. Mexico has long demanded that the U.S. do more to stop the flow of weapons south, and Obama has pledged to step up those efforts. Congress included $10 million in the economic stimulus package approved last week for the ATF's Project Gunrunner, which targets gun-trafficking networks in the U.S.

Mexico's drug violence has rapidly escalated despite President Felipe Calderon's deployment of 45,000 soldiers across the country to fight cartels. Drug gangs behead their rivals and attack police on a near daily basis, especially in cities near the U.S. border. Last year, more than 6,000 people were killed in drug violence, double the previous year's rate.

Mexican police frequently complain of being outgunned by drug gangs. In some small towns, entire police forces have quit in terror following attacks on their colleagues.

On Tuesday, federal police fighting gunmen in the northern border city of Reynosa had to call the army for help. After the fighting, which left five gunmen dead and seven police injured, authorities seized several assault rifles and even a 60 mm mortar.

In a recent report, the federal Attorney General's Office said Mexican authorities have seized the most weapons from the Gulf drug cartel and its gang of hit men, known as the "Zetas." Members of the cartel have been found with rocket launchers, grenade launchers, and weapons capable of piercing armor.

The article

The actual letter sent to Obama.

Even Carolyn "The shoulder thing that goes up" McCarthy got her signature in there..
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Comments to consider- (FYI- these are NOT my words, but I found this argument interesting) The following illustrates two issues which these 50 lawmakers fail to address.

1. Border Security

If we actually enforced our borders, the gun trafficking across the border would be drastically cut down. There is NO mention AT ALL of increased border security in the letter to Obama, just a ban on imported firearms.

2. Gun bans don't work

Mexico has VERY strict gun control laws, it is very difficult to obtain a permit to buy a firearm legally in the country. Even with the strict gun control, they are still having issues with firearms.. More gun control does not mean less gun violence.

Now.....
The comments about 90% of the mexican weapons coming from the United states..
The US is #2 in the world for small arms exports, second to Russia. It would make sense that the US, a country that supplies 30% of the worlds small arms annually, would be the source of most of the weapons in a bordering country.

Now you could blame the US background check process for the flow of guns.. straw purchases, etc.. The failure here is NOT the background checks and it's not that the US has too lax of a purchasing process for guns.. it's the fact that some asshole can fill his truck full of guns and make it across the border into mexico without being caught.

Drugs and weapons.. lock down the border.. and I mean.. Draw the line, post the guard, shoot to kill.. Lock down the border.


Your comments?????

Reynosa Narco Wars

Here is a brief article about the narco war outburst that happened a few days ago at the same time as the border protests... there are some photos and a video. The photos are graphic but the video is mostly the gunshots that were being fired.

http://guanabee.com/2009/02/narco-wars-5-dead-reynosa

yikes!

Thursday there were protests in three Mexican border cities: Juarez, NL, and Reynosa. In Reynosa it turned violent. Read about it here.

And here is a NYT story about the protests from that day.

Story about tourist relations in the area here and here (including the travel warning issued by the state department on Friday for Norther Mexico border cities.)

Kidnapping, Nuevo Laredo

Here is a story about a drug cartel related kidnapping in Nuevo Laredo that happened in December, 2009.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/American_kidnapped_business_torched.html

Federal government approves new Detroit-Windsor border crossing system

The federal government yesterday issued a long-awaited decision approving a new Detroit-Windsor border crossing system over the Detroit River. Following four years of clearance by US/Canadian governments the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study has jumped through all the hoops necessary to start building just north of "Zug Island." Construction of a new border inspection plaza, bridge and interchange is scheduled to begin in 2010, with an official opening of the new crossing system planned for 2013.

"The new border crossing system empowers Michigan's economic recovery and revitalization as evidenced by the broad business community support for the project," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "In addition to fueling our economic engine and creating jobs, an expanded Detroit-Windsor border crossing system will benefit every traveler who relies on safe, efficient border crossings."

Boosts US/Canadian trade, increases border efficiency, and creates more jobs (10,000 during construction phase) during our economic crisis - sounds perfect...but who's paying? I'm assuming the US gov't, maybe partially both governments. It sounds like another 'bail out' to me (useful one at that) - government goes further in debt to save starving economy.

MDOT Article

nuevo! nuevo! nuevo!

To follow up on Matt's post here is a video of one of the bridges in Nuevo Laredo...

Marchers block US border to protest army presence

"CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico – Hundreds of people blocked bridges to the United States in three border cities Tuesday, demanding the army leave in another challenge for the Mexican government as it struggles to quell escalating drug violence.

The protests in Ciudad Juarez blocked traffic for about two hours across three bridges connecting the city to El Paso, Texas. Similar protests broke out on bridges in the border cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa. Demonstrators blocked city hall and a main avenue in the northern industrial city of Monterrey and roads in the Gulf state of Veracruz."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_violence

essay writing

I found this description of one person's entry into Nuevo Laredo here and thought it was pretty accurate and quite lovely.

Incidentally, this web site leads to KIVA, the micro-financing organization, which is pretty interesting. Check it out for ground-up ideas about commerce/building in regions with less access to typical bank funding. (Also in Luke's post...)

PALETAS

I found this article on Paleta's , the popsicles made with fruit that they had in Nuevo Laredo, thought I would share.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A177155

Some News

A few border related articles:


Global Trade = Global Prosperity
This one I thought was interesting, first because it pertains to our current global economical decline, and second because more global trade can be compared to NAFTA and its effects.

Arizona Fence: Pros and Cons
This article talks about how the new fence has affected the area.

100 Year Old Cuban Immigrant becomes Citizen
Just kinda fun. :)

Enjoy!

Migracorridos

Stephanie Fitton just shot me this link on BBC. The article is about US Government appropriation of corridos music to dissuade illegal immigration.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7879206.stm

you can stalk laredo...

I found Laredo and Nuevo Laredo's MYSPACE page... Laredo plagiarizes the City of Laredo's History page but has some interesting pictures and slide shows. Go friend them!


Laredo and Nuevo Laredo

Housing and Microfinance in Nuevo Laredo

http://fellowsblog.kiva.org/category/kiva-field-partners/fundacion-para-la-vivienda-progresiva-fvp/

An article on House construction in Nuevo Laredo. Just minute differences between the American Suburb and the Mexican Barrio. Enjoi.

Just a little background on... Marfa

The NY Times has a nice article about the art scene in that little place called Marfa. It also contains some info on just basic city activities, some of which I've posted. The piece on Donald Judd is worth some spare time however. Enjoy!


http://travel.nytimes.com/2005/03/20/travel/tmagazine/20TMARFA.html

The article contains gems of info like:


"Until fairly recently, Marfa was known for only two things: the Marfa Mystery Lights, which allegedly resemble headlights dancing in the night sky but have no known cause -- and which I am afraid I did not see; and the 1956 movie ''Giant,'' for which the town served as the setting for James Dean's last cinematic appearance. (Memorabilia commemorating both phenomena are widely available in town.) Things began to change in 1971, when the Minimalist artist Donald Judd sought a refuge from New York in more open Western territory and settled on Marfa as a congenial locale."

Our Hotel is described as:
"Thunderbird Hotel (432-729-4326). Just remodeled, it is the cutting edge of Marfa hipness. $79 to $105 a night. "

Finally, the dining options:

"Carmen's Cafe (432-729-3429). If you're lucky, when you go to breakfast the doughnuts will just be coming out of the fryer. Otherwise, console yourself with huevos rancheros. $8 for breakfast.Maiya's (432-729-4410). Could have been airlifted from South Beach. It has an excellent wine list and the most ambitious food in town. $50 a person.The Pizza Foundation (432-729-3377). The thin-crust pie may be the best food in Marfa. B.Y.O. wine or beer. $10 a person. "

We end with the peculiar image of Prada: Marfa.

Temporality and Maquiladoras

This little article begins to illuminate potential issues surrounding maquiladoras and the individuals occupying them.

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14511

Border Buildings

Interesting blog about border crossings and the ways that architects have chosen to represent the experience. It shows several projects that interpret it in different ways...whether it be building, bridge, etc.
http://blog.buildllc.com/2007/11/16/border-crossing-architecture/

US - Mexico Border RSS Feed

I put a RSS feed on the right side of the web page titled US - Mexico Border News Feed. It updates with articles about the border and immigration issues from the New York Times. Its right before the weather gadget.

High Resolution Maps

I found this while looking through the blog that Ayesha posted about but its a link to a bunch of high res maps of the border region. Might be useful later on.

Check out the other maps in their collections. There are a lot of really interesting ones and they are very accessible.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/us_mexico_border/index.html

“Guide For The Mexican Migrant”

I found the Mexican government's guide for crossing the border illegally. There is a color pdf and a black and white pdf. There is also a translation of the text that are all linked from my mfile.

COLOR PDF
B&W PDF
TRANSLATION

Addressing the Enviroment

This article from the NY Times talks about the plans to put money towards the environmental damage that the building of the fence caused. Environmental groups see the effort as too late. Plans are explained:

"That compensation could include modifying the fence to curb flooding and to accommodate threatened and endangered species or restoring their habitats, but officials have not worked out those details and it will vary depending on the area."

The most interesting part of this involves the prior government:

"The agreement between the two departments has been in the works since April, when the homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, to the dismay of environmentalists and some scientists in the Interior Department, used his Congressionally authorized power to waive environmental laws to speed access to broad swaths of land."


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/us/17border.html?_r=1