U.S. State Department Issue Travel Advisory To Travelers Of Kidnapping Risk In Some Parts Of Mexico

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for U.S. travelers visiting Mexico to include new state-level advice and information on “kidnapping risk.” 

The agency cited an “increased risk of crime and kidnapping” in certain parts of Mexico. 

A spokesperson for the department told USA TODAY that the agency regularly reviews all Travel Advisories to ensure U.S. citizens are provided the most relevant and timely information so that they can make the most informed decisions regarding their safety and security when traveling outside the U.S. 

Last week, the State Department issued an alert to U.S. citizens when reports of “multiple vehicle fires, roadblocks, and heavy police activity” were happening in Tijuana and the surrounding area, USA Today reported.

As of Monday, Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a press conference that there were no reports to disclose on U.S. citizens being injured or killed in the incident.

The updated Travel Advisory includes new information on the Coahuila, Mexico, Nayarit, and Zacatecas states, advising travelers to “exercise increased caution when traveling to” Coahuila, Mexico and Nayarit and “not travel to” Zacatecas. 

There is also updated information surrounding “kidnapping risk” for the states of Colima, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Baja California, and Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Sonora, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Quintana Roo and San Luis Potosi.

According to the advisory, “U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel.” Restrictions include not hailing taxis from the street but instead use Uber or regulated taxi stands, and not travel alone. 

If a U.S. citizen still chooses to visit a Mexican state with a Level 4, or “do not travel to,” Travel Advisory or Level 3, “reconsider travel to,” Travel Advisory, they are urged to read the State Department’s advise on high-risk travel.