News, U.S. renews travel alert to Mexico. (violent crime, dangerous, car)

[JD59]

Washington (CNN) -- The United States has renewed a travel alert to Mexico, citing increased violence in the country.

The alert, issued Sunday by the State Department, is in effect until August 20 and supersedes an alert issued August 20, 2009.

U.S. renews travel alert to Mexico - CNN.com

[RjRobb2]

I have been following blogs of ex-pats in Mazatlan and areas nearby and I guess there have been some unusual violent crimes down there in February. Fortunately, they seem to be targeted and not random acts of violence. Possibly, the drug war spilling over to areas it usual does not.

[Willy702]

Mazatlan drug violence isn't surprising anymore, the whole state of Sinaloa is a mess now with rival drug organizations trying to take over the existing cartel's turf. That being said there still is virtually no drug crime in places catering to foreign tourists and chances are good it will stay that way. The cartels know once this starts harming American citizens NOT involved in the drug trade it will bring about dire consequences. They don't fear Mexican authorities, they fear US authorities.

[famlife]

i thought that the touristy places were the ones with the most violent crime rates, like cancun, tijuana and and acapulco.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by famlife

i thought that the touristy places were the ones with the most violent crime rates, like cancun, tijuana and and acapulco.

No. Cancun is only dangerous if you're foolish and get drunk and do stupid things.

Even in the dangerous areas, even in a city like Ciudad Juarez, no innocent American tourist has been killed. There is no reason to waste the bullets, killing innocent isn't what the war between the cartels is about.

There is a problem in parts of Juarez with break down of law and order where the thugs pretty much rule but innocent tourists should not be going into those areas. You can be a victim of car theft, even a carjacking so it's not smart to drive around in areas you shouldn't be in especially in certain model cars.