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U.S. extends travel alert for Mexico
The U.S. State Department on Friday extended its travel alert for Mexico due to the continuing violence and high levels of crimes in various places, including the border.
The alert that went into effect Oct. 15 was extended to Aug. 20.
According to the alert notice, "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.
"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."
Diplomatic officials also said overall crime has increased in rapidly growing border communities, to include "robberies, homicides, petty thefts, and carjackings."
More recently, Juarez, Tijuana and Nogales have experienced public shootouts during daylight hours in shopping centers and other public areas, and future similar attacks are unpredictable, the State Department said.
U.S. citizens are urged to be careful, avoid unfamiliar streets at night, and stay abreast of developments.
Mexico Travel February 21, 2009 05:04 PM