New Travel Warning - February 8, 2012
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas -- If you are going to Padre Island for Spring Break this year and are thinking about traveling into Mexico, give it some serious thought before you go! The U.S. State Department issued a new Travel Warning. On Sunday, an American consulate employee, her husband and the husband of a Mexican employee were gunned down in separate incidents in Juarez. You can chck out this Associated Press story "Mexico Violence Factors In Spring Break Plans."
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. <<More>>
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.
