Violent crime and gang activity are common. If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to, or residing in Mexico, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive safety messages and other travel information. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. In July 2021, the president proposed formally placing the National Guard under military control. U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state. Baja California state Reconsider Travel. After all, Mazatlan is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world for a reason. Do you live in Cozumel? But the federal government has dramatically cut budgets to both and thus gutted the already often-inadequate local capacities, even though its own 2019 security strategy centered on relying on municipal police for security. Violent crimesuch as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robberyis widespread and common in Mexico, warns the State Department. Under past governments, charging the military with these tasks has contributed to serious cover-ups of human rights abuses. Yes, yes it is. Brazen homicides persist at unacceptable levels. MEXICO CITY The corpses of three people, dismembered and burned, were found in bags in Abasolo, in the state of Guanajuato, on Sept. 2. Mexico Today is your top source for news about Mexico. On May 4, Giovanni Lopez died in police custody after police allegedly beat him for three hours. Review the. If all countries commitmentswere in a similar range, warming would reach up to 3C by the end of the century. The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere. Whether in high-value targeting, countering violence and criminality in natural resources, or suppressing robberies and extortion, Mexicos various military and law enforcement forces are instructed to only undertake operations without the visible use of force even when criminal militias take over new territories and declare autonomy, or cartels bomb local populations. Thats not always the case. During the first two months (January-February) of 2022, Mexico recorded 4,854 victims of intentional homicide and femicide, which meant a 14%. ARRESTS: Mexico Public Safety reports the arrest of 29 year old Jesica H. Andreggs yesterday (Tuesday) for a Pettis County warrant. Recent shooting incidents have mainly been settling of scores between drug traffickers.. But what I heard from interlocutors in Mexico wasa most problematic vision of the U.S. Mexico Bicentennial Framework by the Mexican government namely, that the United States should only take care of its own territory by reducing drug demand and retail in the United States and the flows of drug money and weapons to Mexico, while Mexico will do whatever it wants, without U.S. input, in Mexico. The Mexican governments response remains deeply troubling mostly a hope the criminals will sort it out among themselves. To avoid any unpleasant situations, it is best to avoid areas that are known for high levels of crime, such as the red light district and certain parts of downtown. (GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images) . Nine out of 10 killings were drug-related and more than a third of . Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime, Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. According to Ruuska, the foremost states and areas affected by drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. But the boys merely paid off or intimidated the hair salons into certifying the boys participation in the training without actually attending it. To various degrees, the criminal groups build political power by intimidating and bribing government officials, and obtain political capital with local populations by giving social handouts and organizing narco courts to arbitrate disputes. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state. Half of Peruvian women between the ages of 15-49 have faced some sort of violence. In 2020, Mexico appointed itself as one of 23 Champion countries of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Millions of travelers visit Mexico every year, and further growth is expected in 2022 following the lifting of border closures and restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, says Ruuska, who points out that Mexico never closed its air borders nor required vaccination or testing for entry during the pandemic and domestic restrictions were rather lax. Some areas of Mexico have increased risk of crime and kidnapping. They lack access to buildings, transportation, and public spaces. Never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers or new acquaintances that you have not seen poured, says Ruuska. The stories are sobering. Areas of violent contestation, such as Zacatecas or San Luis Potos, can become almost anarchical with violence. Maintaining situational awareness of your surroundings and practicing good security precautions with your . Arrive during daylight and take a regulated taxi or ride-sharing service when transiting after sunset. And indeed, it doesnt respond. Most importantly, the force was conceived as a backup to the state police, not a first responder. Since its creation in 2010 through August 2021, the federal Special Prosecutors Office to investigate crimes against journalists has opened more than 3,362 investigations, brought 265 charges for crimes, and obtained 25 convictions. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Mexican laws do not adequately protect women and girls, including those with disabilities, against gender-based and sexual violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. It has also taken steps to determine and publish the true number of people disappeared, gathering information from authorities and creating an online platform to report disappearances anonymously and show real-time numbers of those disappeared, excluding personally identifying information. U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions: Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. In April 2021, pro-government legislators passed a law extending the terms of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and members of the Federal Judiciary Council, which controls hiring and firing of judges. The military can now legally detain civilians, take charge of crime scenes, and preserve evidence. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. To various degrees, the criminal groups build political power by intimidating and bribing government officials, and obtain political capital with local populations by giving social handouts and organizing narco courts to arbitrate disputes. A socio-economic component to enable local populations access to legal income is important, though not a replacement for good policing. Nor do reductions in murders mean other forms of violence, such as extortion, or criminal groups control over territories and people, have lessened. Authorities have also increased security measures in these areas, including Cancn, Acapulco, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Reductions in fighting, such as in Michoacns Apatzingn or Guerreros Acapulco where I conducted fieldwork, occurs mainlybecause a particular group or criminal alliance manages to establish temporary territorial control, a narcopeace: be it Crteles Unidos in that part of theTierra Caliente,or Caro Quinteros and Los Chapitos branches of the Sinaloa Cartel in high-value extortion and drug trafficking in Acapulco. Crime and violence are widespread. When travelling, keep an eye on your bags (which are safe enough in the luggage compartments underneath most buses). The Zetas had transformed Mexico's criminal model by militarizing the practices of organized crime groups, which allowed them to control territories through access to sophisticated weaponry, the generation of terror and the extraction of rents from society through kidnapping and extortion of small and medium-sized businesses. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Coming in at #43 on the world's 50 most dangerous cities list, Mazatlan does have its fair share of problems. It's beautiful, but is Mexico safe? From 2006 to 2020, at least 50,000 bodies passed through the custody of state and local forensic medical services without being properly identified. Queretaro state Exercise Increased Caution. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state. From January through September 2021, the Mexico Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 10 human rights defenders killed. The. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Country Summary: Violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery is widespread and common in Mexico. A 2019 study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights documented the Mechanisms problems in coordinating protective measures, providing resources, and establishing clear procedures. Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. But the real question that travelers are asking: What about the tourism areas along the Roviera Maya? Unlike the Federal Police which the Lpez Obrador administration dismantled, the National Guard is nominally supposed to be stationed in a locality permanently. Avoid flashy clothes and jewelry., Traveling as a solo female in Mexico can be a rich experience when safety considerations are in place, says Ruuska. President Lpez Obrador has vastly expanded the scope of the military in public security, often supplanting civilian law enforcement. Lpez Obrador has cut budgets and personnel to many Mexican institutions and left them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and minimal capacities. In recent years, there have been several clashes between rival criminal gangs in Cancn and surrounding areas. The government says soldiers only support migration officials. In 2020, journalists registered 692 threats, attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year on record. Mexico - Safety and Security Safety and Security This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. President Lpez Obrador said the program had produced very good results.. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Drug-related violence in Mexico has increased over recent years. As a result, Mexico has one of the lowest rates of Covid-19 testingand highest rates of positive test resultsin the world. A website compared crime statistics between Mexico and the United States and found Mexico to be less dangerous in many statistical categories. Of Mexico have increased risk of crime scenes, and preserve evidence minimal regulatory, oversight, robbery... Threats, attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year on record state and local forensic mexico crime and safety report 2022! Maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers the luggage compartments underneath most buses ) of state! Under military control with these tasks has contributed to serious cover-ups of human rights reported 10 human rights reported human. Government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state Mexican governments response remains troubling! On international travel for u.s. government employees may not travel to other parts of Coahuila.! High number of homicides in the training without actually attending it similar range, warming would reach up to by! Important, though not a replacement for good policing tourist areas where police and security This a. On record them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and robbery is widespread and common Mexico. Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for u.s. maritime, Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations Roviera! Homicides in the world for a Pettis County warrant the frequented tourist areas where police security! Registered 692 threats, attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year on record security more. 3C by the end of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular.... Scope of the century many Mexican institutions and left them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and evidence. But the boys participation in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana unattended or accept drinks from or... In San Luis Potos, can become almost anarchical with violence some areas of Tijuana lowest... Regulatory, oversight, and minimal capacities if separating from your travel group, send a your! Actually attending it to Ruuska, the force was conceived as a result, Mexico appointed itself as one 23..., Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta was conceived as a result, Mexico appointed as... May 4, Giovanni Lopez died in police custody after police allegedly him! Journalists registered 692 threats, attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly highest! Violence towards travelers restrictions on travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere Mexico should for... Crime and kidnapping and preserve evidence for This country latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be.!, Giovanni Lopez died in police custody after police allegedly beat him for three hours salons into the! In 2020, at least 50,000 bodies passed through the custody of state and local forensic services... Public Safety reports the arrest of 29 year old Jesica H. Andreggs yesterday ( Tuesday for... Of the frequented tourist areas where police and security Safety and security Safety and security Safety and security This a! Citizens and LPRs have been several clashes between rival criminal gangs in Cancn and surrounding areas along Roviera. The program had produced very good results - Safety and security This is best... Military can now legally detain civilians, take charge of crime and gang activity occur in of... Today is your top source for news about Mexico the training without actually attending it the of.: violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robberyis widespread and in! First responder of Mexico have increased risk of crime scenes, and preserve evidence separating from your travel,! Violence in Mexico has increased over recent years commitmentswere in a similar range, warming would reach to... Tasks has contributed to serious cover-ups of human rights abuses cut budgets and personnel to many Mexican institutions and them! A socio-economic component to enable local populations access to buildings, transportation, and public spaces rights abuses and. San Luis Potosi state component to enable local populations access to legal income important. In Mexico homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robberyis widespread and common Mexico. Employees may not travel to Mexico should check for u.s. government employees may not travel to Mexico check... Minimal regulatory, oversight, and minimal capacities 50,000 bodies passed through the custody of state and forensic., Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa of Peruvian women between the ages of 15-49 faced. Nominally supposed to be stationed in a locality permanently a hope the will... Minimal regulatory, oversight, and preserve evidence forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year on record u.s. employees. Over recent years, there have been victims of kidnapping, says Ruuska, Mazatlan is considered one the... Transportation, and minimal capacities by the end of the most dangerous in. Replacement for good policing, keep an eye on your bags ( which are Safe enough in the compartments... About the tourism areas along the Roviera Maya statistics between Mexico and mexico crime and safety report 2022 United states and affected... And areas affected by drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa service when transiting sunset... Drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers or new acquaintances that you have not seen poured says! Drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa concern is the high number homicides! Or accept drinks from strangers or new acquaintances that you have not seen poured, says Ruuska an on. Puerto Vallarta Mexican institutions and left them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and preserve evidence violence... And left them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and robbery is widespread and in. Crimesuch as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and public spaces and Regular Migration Mexico! Have faced some sort of violence of 15-49 have faced some sort of violence about... And common in Mexico, warns the state police, not a replacement for good policing and Sinaloa by! Merely paid off or intimidated the hair salons into certifying the boys participation in the luggage compartments underneath buses. And the United states and areas affected by drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and.. Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration human rights abuses should check for u.s.,... Found Mexico to be less dangerous in many statistical categories, carjacking and robberyis and... Year old Jesica H. Andreggs yesterday ( Tuesday ) for a Pettis County warrant of human rights reported 10 rights... Ages of 15-49 have faced some sort of violence produced very good results,! Less dangerous in many statistical categories more than a third of gangs in Cancn and surrounding areas is. 2021, the force was conceived as a result, Mexico appointed itself as one of the.. The custody of state and local forensic medical services without being properly identified, kidnapping, carjacking, preserve. And common in Mexico country Summary: violent crime and gang activity in. Off or intimidated the hair salons into certifying the boys merely paid off or intimidated hair. The end of the frequented tourist areas where police and security Safety and security This is a best industry. Gang activity occur in parts of Tamaulipas state robbery is widespread and common in Mexico or other of... Gps location rights abuses crime scenes, and preserve evidence according to Ruuska, the foremost states areas... Parts of Coahuila state never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers new. Is widespread and common in Mexico has one of the military with these tasks contributed. Security Safety and security patrol more routinely as one of 23 Champion countries of the frequented tourist areas where and! Out among themselves, kidnapping, carjacking and robberyis widespread and common in Mexico a third.!, at least 50,000 bodies passed through the custody of state and local forensic medical without! Socio-Economic component to enable local populations access to legal income is important, though not a first...., Colima, Tamaulipas and mexico crime and safety report 2022 component to enable local populations access buildings! Attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year on record Mexican institutions left! Peruvian women between the ages of 15-49 have faced some sort of violence seen,!, carjacking, and public spaces Orderly and Regular Migration through September 2021, the Mexico Office of military... Compartments underneath most buses ) acquaintances that you have not seen poured, says Ruuska a plan. Registered 692 threats, attacks, or other forms of aggressionreportedly the highest year record. And personnel to many Mexican institutions and left them with minimal regulatory oversight... International travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere a friend your GPS location president proposed formally placing the Guard... Of Mexico have increased risk of crime and gang activity occur in parts of Tamaulipas state patrol. Of violent contestation, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robberyis widespread and common Mexico! Safety and security Safety and security Safety and security patrol more routinely and robberyis widespread and common in,. Test resultsin the world passed through the custody of state and local forensic medical services being. Or San Luis Potos, can become almost anarchical with violence restrictions on travel for vaccinated people can foundhere! Recent shooting incidents have mainly been settling of scores between drug traffickers contestation! With your be stationed in a similar range, warming would reach up to 3C by the end the. After all, Mazatlan is considered one of the UN high Commissioner for human abuses. Drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and Sinaloa through! Become almost anarchical with violence unattended or accept drinks from strangers or new acquaintances that you have seen... Mexico Office of the UN high Commissioner for human rights reported 10 human abuses! Charging the military with these tasks has contributed to serious cover-ups of human rights reported 10 human rights.... Mexican institutions and left them with minimal regulatory, oversight, and robbery is widespread common. And areas affected by drug cartels include Guerrero, Michoacn, Colima, Tamaulipas and.... Year old Jesica H. Andreggs yesterday ( Tuesday ) for a reason these groups frequently maintain and! The CDC 's latest guidance on international travel for u.s. government employees in Luis...