DALLAS _ Travelers to Mexico are urged to avoid visiting certain areas because of rising crime, according to an advisory issued by the U.S. State Department this week.
The advisory says violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery are widespread and asks U.S. travelers to avoid the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas because of crime concerns, and in the case of the latter, kidnappings.
Crime levels also prompted the department to suggest that travelers reconsider visiting the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Jalisco, Mexico, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sonora and Zacatecas.
The advisory restricts U.S. employees from traveling between certain cities after dark or hailing unregulated taxis.
Those who do travel to regions considered risky are urged to take certain precautions, including keeping travel companions and family members in the U.S. informed of travel plans and taking photos of taxi numbers and license plates and texting them to a friend.
The advisory also suggests practicing caution when visiting casinos, bars and nightclubs; not displaying signs of wealth such as pricey watches or jewelry; and being extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
In response to a similar advisory two years ago, Mexico's tourism minister, Enrique de la Madrid, told the Dallas Morning News that the crime statistics don't tell the whole story, particularly in regard to tourist destinations.
"We just want to send a signal, which is true, that our destinations are a safe place to visit," de la Madrid said.
