State Dept. Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning to Parts of Mexico

Mexican cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, both bordering the United States, has been hit with violence as disputes between two gangs have led to vehicles being set ablaze and roads being blockaded. As a reponse, the U.S. State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for six Mexican states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. The ban prevents all U.S. government employees from traveling to the names areas. “U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel,” the State Department said in its advisory.

U.S. government employees in multiple #Mexican cities in Baja #California have been ordered to shelter in place amidst drug cartel battles & #violence.#Mexico pic.twitter.com/QwLuFtzcjK

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) August 13, 2022

The Associated Press reported that the Mexican government has publicly acknowledged the threat. “Today we are saying to the organized crime groups that are committing these crimes, that Tijuana is going to remain open and take care of its citizens,” Tijuana Mayor Montseratt Caballero said. “And we also ask them to settle their debts with those who didn’t pay what they owe, not with families and hard-working citizens.” Further, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also said that the gangs have started to harm civilians. “They attacked the civilian, innocent population like a sort of revenge. It wasn’t just a clash between two groups, but it got to the point where they began to shoot civilians, innocent people. That is the most unfortunate thing in this affair,” Mexico’s president said. As reported by the Associated Press, confirmed casualties of the violence include:

• 24 vehicles that have been hijacked and burned,
• nine alleged gang members were killed,
• 25 convenience stores were burned, and
• four radio broadcasters were killed.

The U.S. State Department has also raised a “Reconsider Travel” warning, the second highest travel advisory, to seven Mexican states: Baja, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora. Seventeen others were put under an “Exercise Increased Caution When Travelling” warning.