Is it safe to visit Mexico for Spring Break? State Department issues strongest possible 'do not travel' warning due to threats of 'crime and kidnapping' as former US Marshall claims cartels are infiltrating once-safe resorts

• Six states are under the State Department's most severe 'do not travel' warning
• In some popular resort towns, cartels have established close ties with local businesses, enabling them to launder drug money

Just as Americans begin to pack their bags and catch flights to hit the beaches and bars for spring break, the US government is cautioning all those headed to Mexico to stay out of six dangerous states.

The State Department has issued its highest-tier warning for some parts of America's neighbor to the south that are run by drug cartels and pose potential threats to American tourists.

The 'do not travel' warning has been issued across six of 32 Mexican states due to 'crime and kidnapping.'US visitors are cautioned not to travel to areas inside Guerrero, Colima, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.Robert Almonte, a former US marshal in the western district of Texas, told NewsNation that there 'is a cartel presence in these resorts,' some of which have long been considered safe.

Sergio Armando Orozco Rodriguez, also known as 'Chocho,' is an alleged member of the Jalisca New Generation Cartel, who extorts local businesses for protection funds in his hometown of Puerto Vallarta, a popular spring break destination.According to the United States Treasury Department, Chocho and his minions launder drug proceeds through close ties to nightclubs and restaurants along the city's main strip of businesses.

The cartel is responsible for trafficking a 'significant proportion of the fentanyl and other deadly drugs that enter the United States,' according to the Treasury.

"DO NOT TRAVEL!" But we'll let all the terrorists into and out of our country at their will.

FJB. *******.

Don't go to Mexico because of the Cartels, we are bringing them to your front door step.

No Quintana Roo, you'll be fine

jagvocate said:

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No Quintana Roo, you'll be fine

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Or Baja California Sur, Jalisco and District Federal

The states listed in the OP are not tourist destinations Guerrero and Sinaloa used to be because that's where Acapulco and Mazatlan respectively, those places have been taken over.

Nobody goes to Tamaulipas for a vacation or Zacatecas?

Those states are basically always on that list…. They didnt out Jalisco, Nayarit, QR, Baja/Sur, not even all of Guerrero, aka the real resort states.

So the article brings up a problem in Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco) but the state isn't on the no-go list. I'm not disagreeing with the state department's warning but you'd figure the author would at least choose an example of cartel presence from one of the states on the list.

Only vacation spot I saw in those areas might be Mazatlan.

I think the issue is the most active and brazen cartel regions and drive-in border states where there is the most border related crime.

The fly-in or boat in resort enclaves are fairly well isolated from major crime so far as I understand it but no telling how long that truce holds up.

I have been wanting to go to Guadalajara but getting mixed reviews on the safety. Tequila and mariachi…sign me the **** up.

Frederick Palowaski said:

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I have been wanting to go to Guadalajara but getting mixed reviews on the safety. Tequila and mariachi…sign me the **** up.

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Just go to San Antonio instead.

Frederick Palowaski said:

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I have been wanting to go to Guadalajara but getting mixed reviews on the safety. Tequila and mariachi…sign me the **** up.

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If you go, you really want to know locals that can give you safety suggestions. My wife is from there originally and she still has school friends that live there. Her friend, who lives in nice part of town, had 2 drug related killings in broad daylight near the entrance to her community.

But if you do go, you have to go to Tacos Providencia and enjoy the Tequila Express.

Cabo is the only place in Mexico that I will visit without concern.

But don't worry my dudes, Corn Pop is eliminating those BS baggage and resort fees…

Zihuateneho is in Guerrero

Coming to South Padre Island soon!

I'm supposed to be going to Acapulco soon. Resort area. I am a bit concerned.

Ellis Wyatt said:

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Frederick Palowaski said:

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I have been wanting to go to Guadalajara but getting mixed reviews on the safety. Tequila and mariachi…sign me the **** up.

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Just go to San Antonio instead.

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Just don't leave anything valuable in your car.

we will be heading to Playa in about a month... Im more worried about the sand flees at the beach and all the alcohol we will be consuming... those things can actually put a hurting on me

my wife threw a big fit when I suggested us going to Cancun over the summer. she said Mexico is too dangerous. I had to explain to her, that where we live currently in TX is closer to all the Mexico crime/cartel stuff than Cancun is.

Quote:

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Guerrero, Colima, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

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Sounds like we have our initial targets for some cartel droning and bombing.

I wonder how much of a threat people in the Brownsville and Boca Chica area (where there's heavy SpaceX activity) are in being right next to Tamaulipas

What if you fly from Austin?

What's the state department say about Chicago? Any warnings?

BMX Bandit said:

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Zihuateneho is in Guerrero

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My favorite place in Mexico.

American Hardwood said:

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I'm supposed to be going to Acapulco soon. Resort area. I am a bit concerned.

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What resort are you staying at?

Zihuatenejo in Guerrero has had a warning like that since 2007 or 2008. I've visited once or twice a year since then and have never had any problems. Cartel members know Mexico depends on tourism to survive. They aren't going to mess with the average American tourist. Now, if you're down there doing and selling drugs, visiting ***** houses, etc. then you might get into some risky situations with a cartel member.

TexAgs91 said:

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I wonder how much of a threat people in the Brownsville and Boca Chica area (where there's heavy SpaceX activity) are in being right next to Tamaulipas

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Almost none. I live down here. Right now, and since the real onset of cartel violence to this point, most of the violence is across the river. Only real drug-related violence on this side tends to be bad guys vs bad guys. Nobody's worried about getting kidnapped or shot up at Chili's.

But I don't go across any longer, and haven't for 12 - 15 years now. I know people who go to Nuevo Progreso still.

Nothing I need in Mexico.

TexAgs91 said:

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I wonder how much of a threat people in the Brownsville and Boca Chica area (where there's heavy SpaceX activity) are in being right next to Tamaulipas

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I work in Tamps everyday and stay there often. And in an area much "hotter" than Matamoros. No big deal really. The crime groups are as much a part of the landscape now as a tree or taco stand. They do their thing and everyone else does theirs.

In reality since the Biden border policies things have been real quiet and peaceful. Not because of decreased presence or activities, but because the trafficking groups are busy as hell making tons, literally, of cash and busy as hell. Plenty of work and money for everyone. And much easier and safer too, for them.

JohnLA762 said:

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But don't worry my dudes, Corn Pop is eliminating those BS baggage and resort fees…

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Yeah, sometime 90 kazilion dollars a day.