As spring break begins, travel agencies are cautioning tourists about traveling to Mexico in light of recent cartel attacks.
The State Department has classified Mexico at Level 2 - "exercise increased caution" due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping risks. The warning issued last summer highlights the prevalence of violent crimes in Mexico, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, as well as the potential for terrorist violence.
The security threats vary across different regions in Mexico. States like Jalisco and Baja California are classified as Level 3 - "Reconsider travel," while states like Sinaloa and Colima, where cartel violence is high, are at Level 4 - "Do not travel."
AAA emphasized the importance of staying informed about the specific conditions in each destination, as safety considerations differ by state. Recent spikes in violence in some areas have prompted heightened security alerts and advisories, including shelter-in-place notices in popular resort regions.
The recent death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, in a military operation on February 22, led to unrest in Jalisco and other states. Retaliatory attacks by cartels following his death resulted in disruptions to travel, with the State Department issuing shelter-in-place advisories and some cruise lines and airlines altering their itineraries.
While acknowledging the risks associated with cartel violence, industry experts like Paul Tumpowsky from Fora Travel highlighted that most tourist visits to Mexico occur without incident. Tumpowsky emphasized the diverse nature of Mexico, with regions like Baja California operating differently from Jalisco or popular tourist destinations like Mexico City and Cancun.
Travel safety organizations like Global Rescue and Global Guardian advised travelers to stay vigilant and informed about the situation in Mexico. Despite some regions being unaffected by violence, they cautioned that travel to Mexico is never entirely risk-free and recommended monitoring the news and being aware of the ongoing security situation before departing.
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