KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News-Travel Warning Issued for Mexico

Travel Warning Issued for Mexico

3-14-10

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning Sunday asking American citizens, including Spring Breakers, to avoid parts of Mexico.

The travel warning comes not only after the weekend's murders, but also after escalating drug-related violence in recent weeks in several norther-Mexico boarder cities.

Spring Break is one week away for Cal Poly students in San Luis Obispo, and many of them have big travel plans.

"Me and a couple of my girlfriends are going to New York City," said Jen Hajar, a Cal Poly senior.

"I'm actually going on my honeymoon to Oahu," said Jillian Jones, a Cal Poly senior.

And Mexico continues to be a hot spot.

"It's probably one of the most popular things to do," said Hajar. "I'd say people who have the time and money definitely want to go to Mexico. It's fun to get away, and Mexico is a cool place to go."

But it's not the safest place to go. On Sunday, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning urging Americans to understand the risks in Mexico as drug-related violence escalates.

On Saturday, 13 people were killed in Acapulco, a popular beach resort among tourists.

And then a bloody attack in Ciudad Juarez left at least 16 dead, including three Americans connected to the U.S. Consulate.

"The drug lords don't have any mercy," said Rosa Ramos Mil, who has family in Mexico. "They just kill for no reason."

Mil has not visited the country for five years because of the on-going drug war.

"It's scary, I wouldn't recommend anyone go," Mil said.

And although the most-recent travel warning doesn't keep Spring Breakers from going to Mexico, it does recommend using extreme caution.

"That makes me a little scared for my friends, I hope they're going to be cautions and safe," said Hajar.

The violence in Mexico continues even as Federal Police and soldiers patrol the streets, and the violence has spiked since the first of the year.

The city's on the list to avoid are: Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Matamoros.