by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Wed August 23, 2017
The United States Department of State updated its travel warning for Mexico on Tuesday.
The warning, which advises American citizens about the risks associated with traveling to areas of the country where criminal organizations are prevalent, replaces the advisory originally announced on December 8, 2016. In particular, the updated text notes an increase in homicide rates in Quintana Roo (where Cancun is located) and Baja California Sur (home of Los Cabos.)
"Gun battles between rival criminal organizations or with Mexican authorities have taken place on streets and in public places during broad daylight," reads the text in State Department's warning. "The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations and has engaged in an extensive effort to counter criminal organizations that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico."
As a result of the warning, the State Department has provided a state-by-state assessment of security conditions throughout Mexico.
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The Mexico Tourism Board has responded with a reminder that incidences of violence are "extremely rare" among its 35 million annual visitors.
"As the travel warning notes, there have been situations among individuals involved in criminal activities," said the Mexico Tourism Board in a statement. "We can add that the overwhelming majority of those incidents have taken place in locations like inner-city areas or private properties that aren't frequented by international visitors."
The State Department also announced that there is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality. For travelers who insist on visiting Mexico, the U.S. government is warning that its response time to emergencies involving American citizens may be hampered or delayed.
"The Mexican government and entire tourism industry have a long-standing program in place to ensure proactive measures are taken to avoid violent incidents in areas frequented by international tourists. These measures include establishing protocols and coordinating efforts among different government entities across key destinations, such as tourism safety trainings and dedicated resources for public safety."
The travel warning indicates a point-by-point guide in which U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling, including some travel after dark. Additionally, U.S. personnel are prohibited from patronizing adult clubs and gambling establishments in the states of Coahuila, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosi, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit, according to the warning.
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