What do Expats have to say about U.S. State Department Travel Warnings?

 theyucatantimes.com

A recent travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department urges U.S. citizens to take precautions against violent crimes while travelling in Mexico during Spring Break, Holy Week and Easter Holidays.

The warning says that U.S. citizens who do travel to Mexico should always check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest information regarding security issues in Mexico, and they should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program by visiting http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html

We are posting a message sent via Facebook by Mr. Mikel Miller an American Expat living in Mexico, please take 5 minutes to read.

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Just received an email from the U.S. State Department urging all of us who live in Mexico to take precautions while traveling during the next couple of weeks. Here’s my travel advisory for people who still live in the USA:

Crime Statistics
Mexico isn’t as dangerous as many places in the USA despite news media sensationalism about drug-related kidnapping and murder. The 2012 FBI data show higher homicide rates per 100,000 residents for many cities across the USA than in Mexico:

• Camden, NJ 86.27
  Chester, PA 64.25
  East St. Louis, IL 62.87
  Flint, MI 61.99
  Detroit, MI 54.59
  New Orleans, LA 53.19
  Saginaw, MI 52.67
  Atlantic City, NJ 47.83
  Gary, IN 45.98
  Ft. Myers, FL 37.28

Many Mexico cities have lower murder rates than all of these USA locations, and most people in the USA hardly think twice about visiting New Orleans, Atlantic City or Ft. Myers.

It’s important to understand that all these numbers include total homicides, including domestic violence, for both Mexicans and foreigners. Because homicide involving foreigners is rare, expats need to also know the risk of homicide for U.S. citizens. A U.S. State Department website tracks deaths of all U.S. citizens outside the United States, regardless of the reason.

Spring Break in Mexico (Photo: Google)

Further, About.com says there are ten other countries in the Caribbean region with 2012 murder rates higher than Mexico for each 100,000 residents:

• Honduras 92
  El Salvador 65
  Jamaica 41
  U.S. Virgin Islands 39
  St. Kitts and Nevis 38
  Guatemala 38
  Trinidad and Tobago 35
  Belize 31
  Bahamas 27
  Puerto Rico 26
  Mexico 24

Despite these statistics, most people don’t hesitate to vacation in Honduras, Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, or Puerto Rico.
Enjoy vacationing and living in Mexico!
by Mikel Miller

Is Mexico Safe for Spring Break?

huffingtonpost.com


(Photo: Thinkstock/iStock)


As spring break, that glorious time of freedom, approaches, you may be wondering: Is it safe to go to Mexico? Should you let your kids go to Mexico for spring break?

It depends on whom you ask. The U.S. State Department currently has a travel warning for Mexico, but the dangers are mostly in less-touristy areas. The best way to heed this travel warning is by reading the state-by-state breakdown of advisories, as some parts of Mexico are definitely safer than others. For example, for Quintana Roo, where most of the popular tourist destinations (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum) are located, no advisory is in effect.

If you do visit, be smart about what you do in Mexico. The State Department says, "U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims". They also advise, "To reduce risk when traveling by road, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads ('cuotas') whenever possible", due to the concern over carjackings and highway robbery. The State Department further warns against visiting "casinos, sports books, or other gambling establishments and adult entertainment establishments," due to safety concerns.

If you ask the State of Texas if you should go to Mexico, their answer is a resounding "no." the state's Department of Public Safety included the warning: "avoid travel to Mexico" in their list of safety tips for spring break travelers. This advice seems a little suspect, since Texas is probably trying to convince travelers to visit the state's own spring break hot spots instead.

So should you or your kids do Mexico for spring break this year? Ultimately, that's up to you. If you do go, make sure to register your travel plans with the State Department, and to follow their common sense safety tips. Keep in mind one key piece of knowledge from the State Department: "Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors or residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes."

--By Caroline Morse

The U.S. State Dept. gives approval to Mazatlan

hotelplayamazatlan.com

During a visit to Mazatlan by the General Consul of the Consulate of the United States in Hermosillo, John Tavenner recognized that although Sinaloa retains a travel alert to its American citizens, Mazatlan is kept outside this recommendation because of the good results that have been presented in the last three years.

In a private meeting with the Mayor of Mazatlan, Mr. Carlos Felton, Travenner said that the U.S. Consulate in Sinaloa estimated that there are about 10,000 Americans who enter and reside temporarily or permanently and the return cruise was due to all efforts made by the Local and Federal Government to change the situation in Mazatlan, improve and strengthen security and creating and improving tourist areas.

Notably John Travenner has served as Consul General from 2011, ending his management at the end of July.