Spring Break Travel Alert - Mexico



A request from the Texas Department of Public Safety,

Spring Breakers to avoid travel to Mexico due to continuing drug cartel violence south of the border.

The U.S. Department of State reports the following:

• 12,903 narcotics-related homicides were reported the first nine months of 2011 alone.

• The number of U.S. citizens reported as murdered in Mexico increased from 35 in 2007 to 120 in 2011.

• U.S. citizens have fallen victim to transnational criminal activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.

• Rape and sexual assault continue to be serious problems in resort areas.

• Some bars and nightclubs, especially in resort cities such as Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, and Tijuana can be havens for drug dealers and petty criminals.

• Crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere.

• The State Department now urges U.S. travelers to defer non-essential travel to all or parts of 14 Mexican states, four more than 2011.

I'm staying home.