A leading Jalisco government official has criticized an updated U.S. Department of State travel advisory for Mexico released this week, even though its wording regarding this state has not changed since the previous one was issued in December of last year.
As in the past, the missive recommends that U.S. citizens “defer non-essential travel” to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacan and Zacatecas, where the security situation is considered “unstable.”
They are also advised “to exercise caution in rural areas and when using secondary highways.”
The only other specific information in the advisory pertinent to Jalisco concerns U.S. government personnel, who are prohibited from stopping in the town of La Barca (no reason is given), as well as from personal travel to areas of Jalisco that border Zacatecas and all intercity travel at night.
“I want make it clear, and be very emphatic, that neither national nor foreign visitors run any risk, and can visit these places in our state without any problem,” Jalisco Government Secretary Roberto Lopez Lara declared on Wednesday. “They are safe in our state, they can travel freely and, until now, we don’t have any information about (attacks) on civilians.”
Negative publicity regarding recent deadly attacks on law enforcement agencies in Jalisco may have prompted Lopez Lara’s defensive comments over a travel advisory that does not single out Jalisco for any additional attention.
Although Lopez Lara said he respected the right of the U.S. State Department to advise its citizens about traveling in Jalisco, he stressed that the state and federal governments are united on a joint strategy to confront organized crime and “will not concede to the delinquents at any moment.”
Meanwhile, Jose Miguel Zozayacorrea Kuri, the president of the Guadalajara chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce, said the advisories were studiously prepared by the U.S. government and completely justified, even though they can be a factor that inhibit foreign investment in the country.
Despite these regular warnings about traveling in Mexico, tourism statistics show that Americans are visiting this country in larger numbers than they have for the past five years.
The latest U.S. government advisory eases up on its restrictions to Ciudad Juarez, once considered Mexico’s most violent city.
In what may come as a surprise to many, the advisory also warns U.S. visitors to Mexico to be cautious about visiting casinos, sports books and other gambling and adult entertainment establishments.
Other indications include steering clear of isolated roads, using toll roads wherever possible and avoiding “displays of wealth such as using expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches or cameras.”
The advisory continues: “U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.”
Travelers on highways are warned that they may encounter government checkpoints, staffed by military or law enforcement personnel. It goes on to say: “In some places, criminal organizations have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, at times wearing police and military uniforms, and have killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them. You should cooperate at all checkpoints.”
The U.S. government considers travel to most states bordering Jalisco as safe, with the exception of Michoacan, where it suggests non-essential travel should be deferred, except to the cities of Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas. (Despite these harsh suggestions, Michoacan remains one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, where few cases of hostility toward foreign visitors have been reported.)
Other states
Nayarit: OK but defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border Sinaloa or Durango, as well as all rural areas and secondary highways.
Colima: OK but defer non-essential travel to the areas of the state that border the state of Michoacan, including the city of Tecoman.
Guanajuato: No advisory is in effect.
Zacatecas: Exercise caution. Robberies, carjackings and organized criminal activity remain a concern.