UPDATED!
U.S. State Department issues new travel advisory impacting Tijuana, Rosarito and Baja California; You're officially on notice
Southern BAJA NOT INCLUDED IN WARNINGS
U.S. State Department issues new travel advisory impacting Tijuana, Rosarito and the State of Baja California
UPDATED! July 9, 2022
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A video claiming to be from Mexico's powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) circulated on social media on Friday, urging that fighting be kept between criminal groups and avoid innocents.
Two Jesuit priests and a tour guide were killed last month in a suspected run-in with a wanted drug trafficker in the border state of Chihuahua, a crime that shocked Mexicans and drew condemnation from Pope Francis.
More than 30,000 people were murdered in Mexico last year, with much of the violence linked to fighting between rival drug trafficking organizations.
"I ask you that the war remains between us, that we don't involve anyone who shouldn't be involved", said a man speaking Spanish in the video, which also showed masked, heavily armed people dressed in combat camouflage.
"We are people who are for the people", the man said.
In the name of the cartel's shadowy leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho', he urged rival cartels across the country to spare doctors, medical personnel and teachers.
Reuters was not able to independently verify the video.
A source familiar with cartel beliefs said it appeared to be real but could not say whether it was the voice of Oseguera.
A press official at the attorney general's office said authorities were analyzing the footage.
Oseguera, a former policeman, has masterminded the CJNG's emergence as a criminal empire spanning five continents and a rival to the Sinaloa Cartel of captured kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, now in a U.S. prison.
U.S. authorities placed a $10 million bounty on Oseguera's head in 2018.
(Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Original Reporting:
The travel advisory currently sits at level three of four, which is considered a serious risk.
More 2:35 AM PDT July 6, 2022 Updated: 5:46 AM PDT July 6, 2022
Gary Newsome, Editor, Ensenada BC Mexico
ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, Mexico — The United States Embassy in Mexico recently issued a travel warning to Americans. The warning comes after the arrest of a prominent cartel leader in the State of Baja California.
The travel advisory currently sits at level three of four, which is considered a serious risk. So much so that the United States Embassy and Consulate in Mexico is asking people to reconsider their travel plans.
According to the Embassy, “there is the potential for confrontations between criminal organizations and Mexican security forces in Tijuana and Rosarito, the State of Baja California, following the July 2 arrest of a prominent cartel leader. U.S. citizens should expect to encounter increased Mexican law enforcement presence in those areas. Criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed”.
The United States Federal Government also list actions to take:
Be aware of your surroundings.
Maintain a high level of vigilance and keep a low profile.
Monitor local media for updates and in case of emergency, call 911.
Review your personal security plans and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Common Mexico traveler Jamilah Ryan told BajaRacingNews.com, "You can never be too safe anywhere, dangers exist everywhere - so you just take precautions and be safe while you're traveling".
Although tourists are rarely the target, the worry is that innocent people could be caught in the crossfire due to the ongoing territorial disputes. Mexico is concerned with how it will impact tourism so if you make the trip across the border expect to see an increase in law enforcement.
BajaRacingNews.com Following this Reporting: US Embassy in Mexico issues travel advisory for Tijuana, Rosarito, and the State of Baja California.
This travel warning is only for "Baja Norte", the State of Baja California.
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