Since Abaco Travelers have a tendency to be well traveled, especially to the Caribbean area, this page will carry U.S. State Department Travel Advisories issued for popular Caribbean and near-Caribbean vacation destinations.

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MEXICO
(Update to following 19 March, 1998 advisory)

Date: 30 July 1998 11:56:49 -0400
Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Mexico
Sender: U.S. Department of State
No. 98-47

Taxicab Crime: U.S. citizens visiting Mexico City should absolutely avoid taking any taxi not summoned by telephone or on their behalf by a responsible individual or contracted in advance at the airport. Robbery assaults on passengers in taxis have become more frequent and violent, with passengers subjected to beatings and sexual assault. In December 1997, a U.S. citizen was murdered in a taxi robbery. When in need of a taxi, telephone a radio taxi or "sitio" (pronounced "C-T-O"). Ask the dispatcher for the driver's name and the cab's license plate number. If you walk to a "SITIO" taxi stand, use only a driver known to you. Ask the hotel concierge or other responsible individual calling on your behalf to write down the license plate number. Passengers arriving at Mexico City's Benito Juarez International Airport should take only airport taxis (yellow, with an airport symbol on the door) after pre-paying the fare at one of the special booths inside the airport. Radio taxis may be called at tel. 271-9146, 271-9058, and 272-6125. U.S. citizens should avoid taking taxis parked outside the Bellas Artes theater, in front of nightclubs, restaurants or cruising throughout the city.

Additional Crime Information: Crime continues at 1997's high levels. In Mexico City, crime has reached critical levels. Low apprehension and conviction rates of criminals contribute to the high rate of crime. Metropolitan areas other than the capital are considered to have lower but still serious levels of crime activity. Travelers to Mexico should leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place. All visitors to Mexico are encouraged to make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing. Travelers are discouraged from bringing very large amounts of cash into Mexico, as officials may suspect money laundering or other criminal activity. During 1998, criminal activity in Mexico City continued at 1996 and 1997's high rates, with marked increase in the level of violence of the crimes committed, including what appears to be a significant incidence of sexual assaults in crimes committed against women. The most frequently reported crimes involve taxi robberies, armed robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching. In several cases, tourists report that uniformed police are the crime perpetrators, stopping vehicles and seeking money or assaulting and robbing tourists walking late at night. The area behind the U.S. Embassy and the Zona Rosa, a restaurant shopping area near the Embassy, are frequent sites of street crime against foreigners. Caution should be exercised when walking in these areas, especially at night. Any U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are encouraged to report the incident to local police authorities and to the nearest U.S. consular office.

U.S. citizens should be very cautious in using ATM cards and machines in Mexico. If an ATM machine must be used, it should be only during the business day at large protected facilities (preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at a glass-enclosed, highly visible ATM machine on streets where criminals can observe financial transactions.)

U.S. citizens are advised to be careful when ordering beverages in local nightclubs and bars, especially at night. Some establishments may contaminate or drug the drinks to gain control over the patron. Victims, who are almost always unaccompanied, have been robbed of personal property and abducted and held while their credit cards were used at various businesses and ATM locations around the city.

U.S. citizens should not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers anywhere in Mexico.

Travelers to Mexico should exercise caution when traveling on all highways in Mexico. Of specific concern are Highway 190 (Tuxtla to Tapachula), Highway 195 (Tuxtla to Villahermosa), Highway 186 (Chetumal to Villahermosa), Highway 15 (Sinaloa), Express Highway 1 (Sinaloa), and the highway from Altamirano to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. These highways have seen particularly high levels of criminal assaults recently. Reported incidents include robbery, kidnapping and the 1998 murder of an Egyptian diplomat. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel to exercise extreme caution and not to travel on Mexican highways after dark for safety reasons.

All bus travel should be done during daylight and on first-class conveyances. These buses travel on "toll" roads that have a markedly lower rate of incidents than buses (second and third class) that travel the less secure "free" highways. While many of the assaults have occurred in daylight, the Embassy nevertheless encourages daytime travel to lower the chance of auto accidents.

Tourists should exercise caution by not walking on lightly frequented beaches, off-the-path ruins, or trails. Additionally, visitors should not carry excessive cash or valuables and place travel documents in a safe place. In March 1998, a U.S. citizen woman was raped and murdered in the vicinity of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.

Security in Chiapas: The Embassy strongly recommends that American citizens traveling to Chiapas exercise extreme caution. The Mexican military has reestablished authority in rural towns and villages in the State of Chiapas. However, there is still an armed rebel presence in more remote mountainous areas of the state. The situation remains unstable and in a number of areas local conflicts have resulted in violence, such as the December 1997 massacre at Acteal, in which 45 Mexican nationals were killed. Increasing resentment against foreigners by some segments of the local population has resulted in cases of extreme hostility and occasional assaults.

 

Mexican immigration law prohibits foreigners from engaging in political activity. U.S. citizens have been detained in Chiapas and expelled or deported from Mexico for violating their tourist visa status. Tourists should avoid demonstrations and other activities that may be deemed political by Mexican authorities. Visitors who anticipate participating in any activity other than tourism should contact the nearest Mexican Consulate about obtaining the appropriate visa before traveling to Mexico. U.S. citizens traveling to Chiapas are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulates for further security information prior to traveling to the region.

In 1996, armed individuals claiming to be members of the Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR) launched a series of small attacks and or propaganda actions in seven states, including Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla and the state of Mexico. The EPR continues to engage in such activities. There was no evidence of U.S. citizens or other tourists having been targeted. However, several Mexican military police and civilians were killed or injured in the incidents. While Mexican government authorities have taken steps to prevent further incidents, they may occur again. Military roadblocks may be encountered while traveling, and tourists should be prepared to show identification and have vehicles searched. Army roadblocks are most common in the states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

Traveling to Ciudad Juarez: Juarez has in recent years become the focal point for narcotics smuggling along this stretch of the border. Several U.S. citizens have been murdered, others kidnapped and scores imprisoned after involving themselves in drugs. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid any contact whatsoever with controlled substances or those who deal in them. U.S. citizens should also avoid disreputable bars and nightclubs and exercise caution when visiting the entertainment district to the west of Avenida Juarez.

Firearms Penalties: Possession of any gun, rifle, or ammunition without proper authorization by the Mexican authorities is considered a "Firearms Offense" in Mexico and carries stiff penalties. Possession of a single non-assault weapon carries a penalty of up to five years in Mexican prison. Sentences for possession of firearms in Mexico can be as long as 30 years. A permit from a Mexican consulate in the U.S. is required to import firearms or ammunition into Mexico, regardless of whether the firearm is legally registered in the U.S. The U.S. Embassy has noted an increase of U.S. citizens being detained for illegally smuggling arms into Mexico. U.S. citizens should comply with all Mexican laws on arms, including any arms used for hunting. Travelers should check with the nearest Mexican consulate before traveling to Mexico with firearms. Some Mexican cities have ordinances prohibiting the possession of knives or anything that might be construed as a weapon.

Alien Smuggling: U.S. citizens should not offer rides to strangers. This is especially true when approaching Mexico's northern and southern borders. U.S. citizens who aid in transporting aliens out of Mexico may be prosecuted by Mexican authorities for alien smuggling. Alien smuggling and harboring aliens is a serious felony offense under both Mexican and U.S. law.

Volcanic Activity: Since December 1994, the Popocatepetl volcano, located 38 miles southeast of Mexico City, has registered varying levels of seismic activity including the release of vapor, gas, ash, and incendiary material. Depending on the levels of activity, the Mexican National Center for Disaster Prevention has restricted access or closed parks and hiking trails on the mountain's slopes. U.S. citizens planning to hike in the area should be alert to any warnings or signs posted, and should contact the Embassy for the latest information about seismic activity. Updated information may also be obtained at website: http: www.cenapred.unam.mx. ~jfg cgi-bin reporte repo.sh.cgi

Driving Information: U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Mexico. Mexican insurance is required. Travelers should obtain full coverage insurance when renting vehicles in Mexico.

Dual Citizenship: As of March 20, 1998, Mexican law recognizes dual nationality for Mexicans by birth, those born in Mexico, or those born abroad to Mexican parents. U.S. citizens who are also Mexican nationals should be aware that they will be considered Mexican by local authorities and that their dual nationality status may therefore hamper U.S. government efforts to provide consular protection. Dual nationals will not, however, be subject to compulsory military service. Travelers possessing both U.S. and Mexican nationalities must carry with them proof of their citizenship of both countries. Under Mexican law, dual nationals entering or departing Mexico must identify themselves as Mexican or face a stiff fine. Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must enter U.S. territory with documents proving U.S. citizenship.

Time-Shares and Real Estate: U.S. citizens who become involved in time-share or other real estate purchases should be aware that Mexican laws and practices regarding real estate are markedly different and far more complicated from those in the U.S. Foreigners purchasing real estate or time-shares in Mexico have no protection under Mexican law and should be aware of the high risks involved. Foreigners may be granted the right to own real property only under very specific conditions. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends the use of competent local legal assistance for any significant real property or business purchase. A list of local attorneys can be obtained from the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate in Mexico.

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Thurs, 19 Mar 1998 12:21:05
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Mexico

Urban crime:
Crime continues to increase, particularly in urban areas. Travelers to Mexico should leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place. All visitors to Mexico are encouraged to make use of hotel safes when available, to avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and to carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing. Travelers are discouraged from bringing very large amounts of cash into Mexico, as officials may suspect money laundering or other criminal activity. Mexico City experienced a 39 percent increase in reported criminal activity against Mexicans and foreigners during the first eight months of 1996, especially in the area of street crime.

Taxicab crime:
American citizens should absolutely avoid hailing Volkswagen bug taxis and other cabs on the street. Robberies of passengers in taxis are becoming more frequent and more violent. Tourists are not only robbed, but often beaten. U.S. Embassy employees have been advised to use only taxis from authorized taxi stands (CTO or "sitio" stands), especially upon arrival at Mexico City Airport; or Mexico City radio taxis at tel. 271-9146, 271-9058, or 272-6125. Americans should avoid taking taxis parked outside the Bellas Artes Theater, in front of nightclubs, restaurants or cruising tourist areas.

Street crime:
High on the crime list are armed robbery, pickpocketing and purse snatching. In several cases, tourists report that uniformed police are the crime perpetrators, stopping vehicles and seeking money or assaulting and robbing tourists walking late at night. The area behind the U.S. Embassy and the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone), a restaurant shopping area near the U.S. Embassy, are frequent sites of street crime against foreigners. Caution should be exercised when walking in these areas, especially at night.

ATM cards:
Americans should be very cautious in using ATM cards and machines in Mexico. Users are frequently targeted by criminals, who in several cases have beaten victims to discover PIN numbers, and then held victims until the next day to again use the card.

Beverages, nightclubs and bars:
Americans are advised to be careful when ordering beverages in local nightclubs and bars, especially at night. Some establishments may contaminate or drug the drinks to gain control over the patron.

Driving:
Persons driving on some Mexican roads, particularly in isolated regions, have been targeted by bandits, who operate primarily after dark. Criminals, particularly in Sinaloa, sometimes represent themselves as Mexican police or other local officials. Reports have been received of buses being stopped and passengers robbed during daylight hours.

The U.S. Embassy recommends against any visit or stop in Escarcega itself. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel not to travel on Mexican highways after dark. Highway 15 and Express Highway 1 (limited access) in the state of Sinaloa are particularly dangerous areas where criminal assaults and murders have occurred both during the day and night.

Para-sailing:
Para-sailing should be avoided since cases have recently been reported of tourists being dragged through palm trees or slammed into hotel walls while para-sailing.