The Texas Department of Public Safety delivered a stark warning to potential spring break revelers yesterday: "Avoid traveling in Mexico during Spring Break and stay alive."
Travel warnings for Mexico aren't new, but U.S. officials and security experts are taking a more urgent tone this spring break season in light of recent attacks on Americans in Mexico, including the shooting of two U.S. immigration agents last month.
Security conditions have deteriorated in Mexico and drug violence is spreading beyond traditional border city hotspots into coastal resort towns like Acapulco and Cancun. While there is no evidence that drug cartels are targeting tourists, Stratfor reminds college students that "deadly violence can occur anywhere - with complete disregard for bystanders, whatever their nationality and status."
To make matters worse, crimes targeting tourists (i.e. petty theft, kidnapping, rape) are on the rise in port cities where growing cartel influence has rendered local law enforcement corrupt and ineffectual.
For those who still plan on joining the annual migration south , Stratfor has a few tips for spring break travel in Mexico:
- Don't drive at night or accept rides from people you don't know.
- Stop at all roadblocks.
- Don't go into shabby-looking bars or stray away from brightly lit places.
- Don't wander on the beach at night.
- Don't bring ATM cards linked to your bank account - these can facilitate "express kidnappings."
- Don't get irresponsibly intoxicated or accept drinks from strangers (regardless of your gender).
- Always travel in groups.
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