The State Department updated an advisory for Americans traveling to Mexico, warning of “terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.”
Newsweek reached out to the department via online form Tuesday night for additional information.
Why It Matters
The update carries significance for American travelers and the U.S. government alike because it tied specific security risks—including homicide, carjacking, robbery and kidnappings—to state-by-state guidance, which could affect the ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency assistance.
“The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico. U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas,” the advisory says in part.
What To Know
The update on Tuesday notes a Level 2 summary advisory was added along with a terrorism risk indicator, the State Department says.
The department placed Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas at a Level 4—”Do not travel”—citing violence linked to terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.
Federal officials advised travelers to “exercise increased caution” in many other states and to “reconsider travel” to those that include Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora, due to risks such as clashes between criminal organizations and targeted violence.
The State Department’s updated advisory also features a map noting the level of warnings across the country.
Multiple U.S. and local travel guidance documents that preceded the August advisory had already warned Americans of specific risks in tourist areas, including guidance from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and its consulates on spring break and seasonal travel. The U.S. Mission had advised travelers in February to exercise caution in downtown areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum and to follow local laws and safety precautions.
Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas and Cozumel are popular Mexican tourist spots for American travelers.
What People Are Saying
The State Department on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month: “We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means Do Not Travel. This level is assigned based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help there. These places are dangerous and you may be putting yourself at extreme risk by visiting. The Travel Advisories for the following countries are currently Level 4 – Do Not Travel: ⛔Afghanistan ⛔Belarus ⛔Burkina Faso ⛔Burma [Myanmar] ⛔Central African Republic (CAR) ⛔Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) [Congo] ⛔Haiti ⛔Iran ⛔Iraq ⛔Lebanon ⛔Libya ⛔Mali ⛔North Korea ⛔Russia ⛔Somalia ⛔South Sudan ⛔Sudan ⛔Syria ⛔Ukraine ⛔Venezuela ⛔Yemen Find the travel advisory for your destination at http://travel.state.gov/destination.”
Ronald Johnson, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, posted to X earlier this month: “🇺🇸🇲🇽 We stand together as sovereign partners. We face a common enemy: the violent criminal cartels. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect our peoples.”
What Happens Next
The advisory recommends that U.S. citizens enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), review the Country Security Report for Mexico, carry travel insurance and devise contingency plans in case local emergency services are unavailable.