PULSE NEWS MEXICO

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory on Wednesday, Aug. 17, warning Americans not to visit six Mexican states — Zacatecas, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, due to recent violent events in the country.

The Level 3 advisory, which recommends reconsidering any travel plans to the regions, the second-highest warning the State Department makes, also specifically warned against traveling to the border town of Tijuana in Baja California.

Last week, there have been multiple reports of vehicle fires, roadblocks and heavy police activity throughout the northern region of Baja close to the U.S. border, specifically in the cities of Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada and Tecate.

During those waves of violence last week, more than 340 people were killed in Mexico.

Last month, the the State Department issued an advisory for the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Sonora to reconsider travel to the two regions due to an increase in gang-related violence.

“Violent crimes, such as homicides, kidnappings, car jackings and robberies, are widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted,” the statement said.

“U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico, except for daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.”