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State Department Travel Warning for Mexico

By Marcella Glenn

The State Department issued a travel warning for Americans traveling to or living in Mexico.

The warning issued Friday morning gave notice to American citizens about the latest trends in drug cartel violence south of the border.

The State Department reports that crime and drug cartel violence isn't usually seen in tourist destinations/resorts but urges caution.

The State Department is asking Americans not to travel to the entire State of Tamaulipas because of drug cartel roadblocks or blockades.

Officials issued a specific warning agains Nuevo Laredo's "Boys Town" due to violent crime there.

The Federal Highway 2 between Ciudad Acuņa and Reynosa are mentioned.

"You should be especially aware of safety and security concerns when visiting the northern border states of Northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas. Much of the country's narcotics-related violence has occurred in the border region. More than a third of all U.S. citizens killed in Mexico in 2010 whose deaths were reported to the U.S. government were killed in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Narcotics-related homicide rates in the border states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas have increased dramatically in the past two years," Travel Warning from the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs.