MICHAEL WEBSTER: investigative journalist 16th Oktober 2008 14.00 clock PDT

The new travel alert only updates security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living in Mexico. It replaces the Travel Alert for Mexico dated 14 April 2008 and ends on 14 April 2009. However, is not up-grade the travel warning to higher status as many believe, it should. If the conditions were prevailing, that in Mexico today elsewhere in the world the highest travel alert would have happened already been issued. I reported last April by answering the questions “why the U.S. government does not have a new travel warning or even an up-grade to the existing alert? Now U. S has reclassified.

The question is, why not raise the alert to a warning status and protect Americans and warn them not to travel to Mexico. At least until some or all the violence stops and it is again safe to travel in Mexico. Many travelers believe if this same thing in any other country it happened would be a warning not to travel issued. Why not Mexico? That is why not ask? Mexico is now one of the most dangerous countries in the world. And it is our neighbor to the south with a population of over 100 million people. Even the U.S. military ban on their personal visits to Mexico because of the increasing violence there.

United States Army posts along or near the US-Mexican border by officials say that they discontinued exhibition goes to soldiers who want to travel across the border to Mexico. “If it is not safe for U.S. soldiers, as it is not safe for other Americans. Said, John Lutes, was born in El Paso and served in the army. The new travel alert up-date says” that while millions of U.S. citizens safely Mexico to visit every year, even thousands, the land border every day cross for study, tourism or business, increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how to best to avoid dangerous situations and who to contact if you are the victim of a crime. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas to avoid that occur where prostitution and drug trafficking, and the exercise of prudence in where one visits in the evenings and at night, can help ensure that travel to Mexico and is certainly encouraging. “Violence along the U.S. – Mexico border is increasing Mexican drug cartels in an increasingly violent struggle for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S. working crack – Mexico border in an apparent response to the Mexican Government initiatives on drug trafficking organizations. To should combat violence, the government of Mexico more than 45,000 military troops in various parts of the country has begun. This Mexican troops Manning roadblocks and checkpoints throughout the country. The U.S. citizens, she says, to cooperate fully with official checkpoints when traveling on highways Mexican. The problem with this is bandits and other criminals are also setting up road blocks and so called check points through out Mexico and pay the full or partial police or military uniforms and are equipped with vehicles, the police or military are similar vehicles, so how is someone tell even a national much less an American, what’s what.

That is the problem can not be. And that is a reason Americans should avoid Mexico. The Bureau of Consular Affairs says: “Violent criminal activity of a war operation between criminal organizations struggling for control over the lucrative drug trade continues along the US-Mexican border. Attacks primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police, criminal justice oriented government officials and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region. Americans in Mexico for victims to fall armed robbery and carjacking. This new kind of Mexican Violence has increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of U.S. citizens abducted been hostage held and killed by their captors in Mexico and remain unresolved in many cases. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom are reported to continue. Brownsville from Texas to San Diego California State Department has alerted Americans of the dangers of crossing the border. Google or click on: Why not travel warning for Mexico, or at least an up-grade to the existing alert?

In other cases Mexican cartels through their enforcement of the Mexican and American gangs order smaller American gangs kidnap and in some cases murder Americans. “U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk by the deteriorating security situation arise along the border,” said a statement issued in Mexico City and Washington. “Violent criminal activity has increased, including murder and kidnapping, in Mexico’s northern border region.” New cases of disappearances and abductions for ransom are-still reported. No one can prove to be immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality or other factors. Criminals were known to follow and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles including motors homes and travel trailers, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Reynosa, Juarez, Mexicali, Tijuana and the majority of all border towns.

Dozens of U.S. citizens were kidnapped and / or murdered in Tijuana in 2007. Google or click on: Americans kidnapped, killed and hero in New Mexico as the old warning goes on to say: “Recent Mexican army and police are in conflict with heavily armed drug cartels fighting to levels equivalent to military small units and escalated have included use of machine guns and grenades, fragmentation. confrontations have taken in many towns and villages in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Mexican state of Baja California, Chihuahua and City and Ciudad Juarez in Chihuahua state. The situation in northern Mexico remains very fluid, the location and timing of future armed engagements there can not be predicted. “Public shootouts have occurred during the day in the vicinity of shopping centers in many Mexican border towns. About 5,000 people have been killed in Mexico so far this year. This figure is more than in Iraq and Afghanistan combined has been killed. The new alert will continue to report that a number of areas along the border to experience rapid growth in prices for many types of crime. More than 1,600 cars were reportedly stolen of Ciudad Juarez in the month of July 2008 and bank robberies there dramatic. Rates for robberies, homicides, petty thefts and carjacking, all rose last year across Mexico generally, with significant spikes in Tijuana and northern Baja California. Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Palomas and Nogales are among the cities that recently the public have seen daytime shootouts in shopping centers and other public venues.

Criminals have followed, harassed, and U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Tijuana, and along Route 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo. A very dangerous situation takes place in Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and other Mexican border cities and has a particular concern for U.S. citizens. A recent series of attacks near the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez has targeted applicants for U.S. visas. Visa and other service seekers visiting the Consulate are encouraged to not carry cash and to make arrangements to pay for these services with something other than cash. Mexican authorities report that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez this year alone.

U.S. citizens should pay closely to their surroundings while traveling in Ciudad Juarez, avoid isolated locations during late night and early morning hours, and remain vigilant to messages. U.S. citizens are urged to be vigilant and security concerns when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a wide range of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, attackers have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. While the largest increase in violence near the U.S. border has taken place, U.S. citizens traveling elsewhere in Mexico should also exercise caution and be aware in unfamiliar areas, their surroundings at all times. Mexican and foreign bystanders were injured or killed in some violent attacks, evidence of heightened risk in public places. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped across Mexico and many cases remain unresolved.

U.S. citizens who believe they should for a kidnapping or other crimes targeted to notify Mexican authorities and the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every effort to stay on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads that are more secure as a rule. U.S. citizens are encouraged to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of cities with more adequate security, and provide a route to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone, and should be a GSM-enabled phone, perform the functions internationally. Refrain from Displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuables. Criminals have followed, harassed, and U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Juarez and Tijuana. Although officials of the State Department travel warning for Mexico updated, they did not a more serious “travel warning upgrade,” which is reserved for long-term conditions, officials said. Even though many Mexican cities on the U.S. Border and elsewhere in Mexico are under siege, the question is why not. Mexico is now one of the most dangerous countries in the world. And our neighbor to the south is approaching with a population about 100 million people.

Our government admits Criminals are armed with a wide range of sophisticated weapons. In some cases, attackers have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and used vehicles that resemble police vehicles. As expected, the American travelers are able to, between the real Mexican army blocked the road and to distinguish the criminals? Americans are targeted by Mexican bandits and other Mexican criminals because they are American and are believed to have money with them. ”

The State Department says if you do a victim of crime while your in Mexico and password, which is after the fact are urged to contact the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for advice and support.

23-year-old American from El Paso Kyle Mostello Belanger-Believed Missing in Juarez MexicoBorn in Tennessee 23-year-old American from El Paso Kyle Belanger Mostello view is missing in Juarez Mexico. Close friends and relatives believe he was a soldier for the El Paso Barrio Azteca gang. The real question here was Kyle kidnapped to be Juarez and murdered as some believe.

be issued, according to the U.S. State Department “Travel Warnings” if the State Department decides, based on all relevant information to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a particular country. specific countries such as the Middle East, where avoidance of travel is recommended to have travel warnings and information about Country. Such a travel warning for the country of Mexico.

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