The State Department’s travel advisory website currently has a Level 3 alert for the entire state of Baja California, and the head of the Citizens Public Safety Council says the Mexican government needs to take the warning seriously.
“Mexican authorities seem to ignore these warnings; these should not be considered an exaggeration,” said Roberto Quijano Sosa, president of the Council in Baja. “Even though they deny it, the Baja California region, Tijuana in particular, remains with an incredibly high level of violence.
The U.S. State Department is asking Americans to reconsider travel into Baja due to several factors listed:
- There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.
- Criminal groups fight for control in border areas. They want to set up routes for narco-trafficking and human smuggling.
- Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations.
- There are high homicide numbers in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana.
- Most homicides appear to be targeted. However, assassinations and territorial disputes between criminal organizations can injure or kill bystanders.
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping.
- The only travel restrictions in Baja California state are in Mexicali Valley. There are no additional travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state, including in Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.
Quijano Sosa told reporters earlier this week that the U.S. government issues these warnings and alerts with good and responsible intentions suggesting visitors remain in tourist areas and not to venture into sparse and remote locations.
“Without a doubt, the U.S. government has specific information and good reasons to ask its citizens take precautions,” he said. “Ideally, there would be no alerts, but there’s no reason for Mexican public safety authorities not to take these warnings seriously.”
The travel alert issued by the State Department carries other warnings for Americans who are planning on visiting Baja California or other parts of Mexico:
- Drug possession or importation of drugs, including medical marijuana, is illegal.
- Do not bring e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or illegal drugs into the country.
- Bringing weapons including guns, ammunition, swords, knives, fireworks and explosives into Mexico without permits issued by the Mexican government is a serious crime.
- When approaching any checkpoint, cooperate. Avoid any behavior that appears aggressive. Fleeing can raise suspicion and lead to violence.
- Costs for medical care in Mexico may be higher than expected. Most hospitals will not release patients until their bill is paid in full.
Click here to read the original article by Salvador Rivera on Border Report.
Source: Border Report
