State Department Warns U.S. Travelers About Violence in Mexico

Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times

Mexico, being a bordering country to America, receives a large number of American tourists every year. People go to Mexico to relax and spend some time away from all their troubles and worries. However, most people do not know that there is a high risk going into some parts of Mexico as a United States citizen. Even though the rate of U.S. citizens getting killed in Mexico decreased in the past year, it is still relatively high compared to other countries. The State Department has warned U.S. citizens not to go to four specific states in Mexico because of safety issues. These states are, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango and Tamaulipas. Last year 113 U.S. citizens were murdered in these four states, but this year the number has dropped down to thirty two. Even with this drastic decrease, these states are still considered unsafe and recommended that people do not go there unless it is necessary. The main cause for these incidents pertaining U.S. citizens is the drug cartels. Since the U.S. citizens do not know the safety boundaries and who these people are, they coincidentally end up in the center of the drug war. The State Department said that tourists in Mexico should be extra cautious late at night and early in the morning, because that is when the cartels are most active and dangerous.