Thread: The U.S. tells citizens not to travel to five Mexican states

Weeks after Mexico logged its deadliest year on record, the United States urged its citizens not to visit five violence-ridden Mexican states, placing them in the same danger category as war-torn Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria.


In an advisory made public Wednesday, the State Department issued “do not travel” warnings for the northeastern border state of Tamaulipas and the Pacific coast states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan and Sinaloa.


Although the U.S. has discouraged travel to all or some of those states in the past, its new evaluation is sterner, giving the states its highest-risk Category 4 warning. Countries given that classification include Libya, Yemen and other nations engulfed in conflict.


Mexico as a whole was given a Category 2 rating, with U.S. citizens implored to “exercise increased caution.”



“Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread,” the advisory said.


The advisory is the latest recognition of Mexico’s surging violence, which claimed 22,409 lives in the first 11 months of last year — more killings than in any year since the government began releasing crime data in 1997.


The bloodshed, fueled by increased U.S. demand for heroin and a power struggle within one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels, is on the rise in a majority of Mexican states.


The violence has even encroached on the long-safe tourist havens of Cancun and Los Cabos, where in December the bodies of four men were found hanging from a highway overpass.

Between January and November, there were 62 homicides per 100,000 residents in Baja California Sur, where Los Cabos is located. That's about 2 ½ times the 2017 rate in Chicago, a city that has received considerable attention for violence.


The State Department warned citizens about traveling to Los Cabos and Cancun last summer, sparking fears that it could affect Mexico’s $20-billion-a-year tourism industry, which represents about 7% of the country's gross domestic product. Wednesday’s travel advisory repeated those warnings but issued the two states where they are located Category 2 designations, calling for Americans to exercise increased caution but not stay away.


That’s good news for Mexican authorities who lobbied the U.S. to keep the tourist hot spots off the Category 4 list, security expert Alejandro Hope said.


“I’m guessing they are breathing a sigh of relief,” he said.

The U.S. tells citizens not to travel to five Mexican states - LA Times

So does that rule out any tourist hotspots (i.e. traps).

^Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, and Acapulco are in Guerrero. Some dive spots in Colima.

...add in Mazatlan in Sinaloa. Pity about the security situation in Michoacan as there are some interesting places such as the city of Morelia and the fishing village of Patzcuaro.

The advisory is fair.

My uncle lives in MX and loves it. Many places are good, some entire states are indeed that bad. I watch Mexican news everyday.

Mexico is no more dangerous than Thailand. I had planned on retiring there for many years, but it was the increased prices and the continual harassment by the federalies that drove me away. Ironic that I am now retired in Thailand.

Originally Posted by misskit

Mexico’s surging violence, which claimed 22,409

Meanwhile back home in the US of A near 18,000 murders in 2017. Logically, the US would be a category 3. Much safer. Bit of pot kettle here.

600 US citizens killed in Mexico over a 7 year period! It's a holocaust, I tell you, a holocaust!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/priceon.../#69031e2a28a7

How much are the prostitutes DrBob?

Originally Posted by Thai3

How much are the prostitutes DrBob?

I'm not sure how many of the dead were prostitutes but I'm pretty sure you could have them for free if you don't get caught climbing into the morgue. Not my scene but I'm sure you can get the exact info from some of your D-Wing mates.

something you are clueless about then, that must be a first

Originally Posted by Norton

Bit of pot kettle here.

No doubt. Anyone warning Mexicans to avoid Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, etc., etc.?

Originally Posted by SKkin

No doubt. Anyone warning Mexicans to avoid Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, etc., etc.?

No, it's just Americans who need to be warned. People of the US, the world is a dangerous place. Remain at home. Do not venture to other countries where people may try to take your guns or laugh at your trousers. Stock up on ammuntion, corn dogs, and those weird dolls with big wobbly heads. Remain alert, stay in your homes, and Make America Great Again. God bless you all.

Is it because a wall might be constructed whilst they are there, preventing them from returning?

Better weather on the whole...and tacos. I'll take my chances.

Originally Posted by happynz

tacos

5 dollar furry tacos

Have you been shopping?

Tried - no tacos left. Only hairy lassos.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

or laugh at your trousers

Why would anyone laugh at my britches?

Originally Posted by pseudolus

5 dollar furry tacos

Heads up on the "sour cream" that comes with those...

When you look at the homicide rate in America, which I believe is the highest in the Western world and by quite some distance to, are there suitable travel warnings for people who for some unbeknown reason want to visit a country full of bsnubs?

Originally Posted by SKkin

Heads up on the "sour cream" that comes with those...

I always supply my own

Originally Posted by SKkin

Why would anyone laugh at my britches?

They wouldn't. Laughter is not something any sane person would associate with Will Ferrell.

Used to be quite funny on SNL at times but his movies ain't for me.