US State Department Lists Acapulco as Risky Destination

(Acapulco, NA 26 October) The US State Department has issued a new travel alert for US citizens traveling to Mexico. For reasons of the violence caused by organized crime turf battles and the narco-war being waged by the Mexican military and police, seventeen cities in Mexico were placed in the “alert” status, indicating that the travel there for U.S. citizens could be considered as “high risk.” Obviously, this comes as a blow to the local economy, already suffering a drop in tourism because of drug violence. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was also placed on the travel alert list, together with Tijuana, Chihuahua, Monterrey, Mazatlán, and Morelia. The text of the warning includes the following language:

“The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.”