The Foreign Office has issued a warning against “all but essential” travel to parts of Mexico, citing significant safety concerns. This advisory comes as American tourists have also been cautioned not to visit several Mexican cities due to the occurrence of “increasingly frequent gun battles”.
The guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which was initially set in October, was confirmed as still relevant today, highlighting specific regions within Mexico where there is an elevated risk of crime and violence. Moreover, US travellers are being advised to avoid certain areas of Mexico, a country that typically attracts visitors for spring break festivities.
According to The Independent, the Tamaulipas region, which lies adjacent to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico, is subject to a level 4 “do not travel” warning from US authorities because of the threats posed by violent crime and kidnappings.
Cities within the Tamaulipas region affected by this advisory include Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando. On January 27, the US embassy in Mexico released a statement saying: “The US Consulate is aware of increasingly frequent gun battles occurring in and around Reynosa in the late night and early morning hours.”
Travellers in the area have been urged to stick to paved roads, avoid touching unknown objects, travel during daylight hours and keep friends and family updated on their safety. The embassy has highlighted that criminal organisations are “increasingly” manufacturing IEDs in the region, with an official government vehicle destroyed in Rio Bravo last month, injuring one person.
Britons have been warned that their travel insurance could be invalidated if they ignore advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel include:
- Parts of the state of Chihuahua.
- Parts of the city of Tijuana
- Areas south-west of the road 45D, in the state of Guanajuato
- Parts of the state of Colima
- Parts of the state of Tamaulipas
- Parts of the state of Chiapas.
- Parts of the state of Jalisco
- Parts of state of Sinaloa
- Parts of the state of Guerrero
- Parts of the state of Michoacán.
Those planning to travel to these areas or Mexico in general should check the latest FCDO advice before flying. Ignoring FCDO warnings could not only put you in danger but also invalidate your travel insurance.
Regarding violence in Mexico, the FCO stated: “Drug-related violence in Mexico has increased over recent years. Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. “.
“Some areas of Mexico have a high crime rate due to fighting between rival organised crime gangs. In these areas, there is a risk of being caught in the crossfire or of being mistaken for a gang member.”
To minimise your risk, the FCDO advises you to heed local authority advice or that of your hotel, remain vigilant of your surroundings at all times, utilise reputable tourism or transport companies, and travel during daylight hours where feasible.