Photo Credit: J. Stephen Conn
A Mexico travel advisory has been issued due to increased drug violence in the country. Three recent murders on the Texas-Mexico border of those with ties to the U.S. Consulate have prompted the warning. U.S. Consulate employee, Lesley Enriquez, and her husband Arthur Redelfs were both shot to death in their car while driving from Ciudad Juarez to their home in El Paso. The couple's six-month-old baby survived the shooting.
While it is not certain if the couple was caught in cartel cross-fire or if they were targeted because of Enriquez's political status, 50 other drug-gang violence deaths occurred in Mexico over the weekend. Although this is one of the biggest seasons for travel to Mexico, U.S. residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to border towns.
U.S. travelers should be aware of security concerns and implement safety precautions when in Mexico. Criminals may conceal their identities in Mexican military or police uniforms during attacks. The Mexico travel advisory released by the U.S. Department of State on March 14 is an updated warning from the one issued on February 22. It reiterates:
"While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border daily for study, tourism or business and nearly one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico), violence in the country has increased. It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks in Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if victimized. 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."
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has begun an investigation into the killings of Enriquez and Redelfs, and President Obama expressed outrage, as well. If you have non-essential travel planned to south of the border, be aware of the Mexico travel advisory.
