CONSULATE: STAY AWAY FROM REYNOSA-MONTERREY HWY

WARDEN MESSAGE - March 5, 2010 - Security Situation in Nuevo Leon

U.S. Consulate General of the United States of America
Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
March 5, 2010

WARDEN MESSAGE

The U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey wishes to inform American citizens of recent changes it has made with regard to its travel policy. Effectively immediately, we are deferring temporary, non-essential travel by U.S. government employees to destinations in the outlying parts of Nuevo Leon due to the recent deterioration of the security situation in the border region. In addition, as a precautionary measure only, we are limiting temporary, non-essential travel by U.S. government employees to the Monterrey metro area.



There have been numerous confirmed reports of deadly gun battles taking place in and around the cities of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa in the neighboring state of Tamaulipas and in small towns of Nuevo Leon that are north and east of Monterrey. There have also been incidents where drug trafficking organizations have set up vehicle “checkpoints,” including on major highways that link Monterrey with the U.S. border. Gunfights have occurred in outlying cities in Nuevo Leon state, including municipalities such as China, Los Ramones, Cerralvo, and Anahuac. Within the Monterrey metro area, there have been recent grenade attacks on the police headquarters in San Nicolas, Apodaca, Guadalupe, Cadereyta, Escobedo, Allende and Santiago and an increase in carjackings in the city and on the highways, including an incident involving a U.S. citizen on the toll (cuota) highway to Reynosa.

U.S. citizens are urged to avoid travel by road from Monterrey to Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa due to heightened risk of violence on the roads between Monterrey and the border. As noted in the most recent Travel Alert for Mexico dated February 22, 2010, U.S. citizens are also advised to defer travel to the state of Durango and the area in Coahuila known commonly as “La Laguna,” which includes the city of Torreon. This guidance also applies to non-essential travel for official Americans to those areas. U.S. citizens choosing to travel to these areas should exercise extreme caution.

U.S. citizens are advised to take the above information into consideration when making any decisions concerning travel through Monterrey’s consular district by road. Review of recent violence suggests that although criminal acts and violence can occur unexpectedly at any time of day, trends suggest that overall it may be safer during the morning and early afternoon hours. Travelers by land should seriously consider embarking on their trips outside of these “peak” time periods when these incidents have tended to occur. Prior to making any trip, Americans should stay current with media coverage of events in the areas through which they will travel.

U.S. citizens residing in the consular district should exercise heightened personal security practices, and monitor local news carefully. Avoid areas reported in the news to be the site of armed confrontations, and remain indoors away from windows anytime gunfire is heard. Vary routes and times for travel to work and school and let family, friends or colleagues know where you are at all times. During encounters with Mexican police and military, U.S. citizens are reminded to comply with all given instructions and avoid engaging in any behavior which could be misinterpreted and heighten their risk.

U.S. citizen travelers and residents alike are encouraged to review the Department of State publication, “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html. This publication goes into detail on personal security practices individuals may employ to make their trip or stay as safe as possible.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to refer to guidance in the Department of State’s most recent Travel Alert for Mexico located on the internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html and Country Specific Information for Mexico, which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html for additional information regarding the current security situation in the country.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate. U.S. citizens in Monterrey’s consular district may contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey, located at 411 Avenida Constitución Poniente; telephone (81) 8047-3100; after hours emergency telephone 044 (81) 8362-9126 (from Mexico); ACS unit fax (81) 8342-5433; e-mail MonterreyACS@state.gov; web page http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov.

Stay in Touch

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U. S. Embassy or consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security. United States citizens without Internet access may register in person with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.