Were still going to come out north of 30,000 homicides that have been officially counted by any standard this year, said Ernst. Zacatecas, which has one of the highest per-capita homicide rates in Mexico, is a key transit point for drugs moving north to the U.S. border, especially the powerful synthetic painkiller. EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) - Authorities in Zacatecas have ramped up security in two contiguous towns where eight people were gunned down during the weekend.. But Aguilar said that so far authorities have not found a link between that grisly find and Fridays gun battle in Valparaiso. It seemed that a woman with her children wanted me kicked out of the restaurant but management refused. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. Eight people died and five were injured in a shooting at a busy nightclub in the town of Jerez, in northern Mexico, police said Sunday. On July 12, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to Mexico, including Zacatecas, which the government warned of crime and kidnappings. Tlaxcala state Exercise Increased Caution. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Mexico - Wikipedia If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend. It is very conservative and I believe I got in trouble for being sleeveless (it was hard to say as I dont understand Spanish). Last Updated: Reissued with updates to health information. The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration told CBS News that the two cartels are behind the influx of fentanyl in the U.S. that's killing tens of thousands of Americans. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City. Zacatecas was where thousands of local slaves were forced by the Spanish to toil in the mines. The issue of violence is terrifying, said Victor Pia, a lifelong resident of Zacatecas state who lives in the city of Fresnillo. I love my home profoundly, he said. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well. Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping. InSight Crime Analysis This wave of police killings can best be understood in light of the ongoing turf war ravaging Zacatecas and the state's inability to protect its forces. That began changing around 2007 and 2008 as the governments assault on the cartels led them to splinter, evolve and spread. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. As crime rises in Mexico, women are in particular danger - of "disappearance", kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. This weekend, there were these very unfortunate events: the loss of life, the murder of a judge, the president said during his morning news conference, before blaming the violence on the inaction of previous governments. Mexican Authorities Identify Bodies of Missing Ohio Man's Fiancee and Definitely helps to know Spanish if you come to visit. The fear has overwhelmed us., Were Living in Hell: Inside Mexicos Most Terrified City, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/world/americas/inside-mexicos-most-terrified-city-fresnillo.html. In October, the neighbouring statesagreed to overhaultheir approach, which Mexican officials have long portrayed as a relic of the past, and to instead step up efforts to address the root causes of crime and curb cross-border arms smuggling. Across Mexico, more than 300,000 people have been killed in a wave of bloodshed since the government deployed the army to fight drug cartels in 2006. But we must be conscious that were talking about a staggering level of homicides and other lethal practices that are still the norm in Mexico.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The groups have engaged in violent shootouts in rural areas like Jerez, close to poppy and marijuana cultivation areas, causing mass displacements. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state. This lack of police presence has led to the growing insecurity in many of the municipalities. We had no problem in terms of crime. The bodies of five men and one woman were found dumped on a roadside in Mexico's north-central state of Zacatecas, prosecutors said Tuesday. my family often travels to zacatecas yearly, we go to a more smaller town but do go to zacatecas. But the collection of programs and law-enforcement actions never coalesced into a clear public policy, critics said. U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. And it could get to 1,500 deaths by the end of the year if nothing is done, the secretary of national defense foresees. Photo: Google. Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours. Ten bodies, belonging to eight men and two women, were found Thursday in a parked van near the governor's office in Zacatecas in north-central Mexico. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state, which include tourist areas in:Cancun,Cozumel, Isla Mujeres,Playa del Carmen,Tulum, andtheRiviera Maya. In late November, the government announced that 3,848 national guard and army personnel were going to be stationed in Zacatecas to quell the rising violence as part of a federal plan to strengthen the states safety. Check news sources before traveling to Zacatecas. The rise of criminal groups has imperilled public safety in much of Mexico. Ricardo Barrn Guzmn is the last name in a long and sad list: that of assassinated police officers in Mexico . Zacatecas Governor David Monreal vila a member of the leftist National Regeneration Movement (Morena) of Mexican President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador (AMLO) has been under intense criticism for failing to curb the violence and killings since he assumed office in September 2021. Zacatecas is a city and municipality in Mexico, and the capital and largest city of the state of Zacatecas. All rights reserved. There was evidence the deaths in the remote township of Valparaiso resulted from a confrontation between gunmen from the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, she said. U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco. Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Murillo said that of the five bodies identified so far, three had been detained previously on drug or robbery charges. Cartel Violence in Central Mexico Taking Hold in Jerez - InSight Crime However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones. Theres also a lot of history here but that was less interesting to me. Now, the city lies desolate after dark. Too scared to stay in the same house, they moved in with Guadalupes parents in a different part of town. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. But be sure to negotiate the price before starting a trip. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. In the past few weeks, there have been several mass killings in the municipalities of Fresnillo . Taxi is a safe way of getting around. The incident in Zacatecas state took place late Friday into Saturday when heavily armed men, arriving at the bar in two vehicles, burst in and began shooting indiscriminately, a report from the Security Secretariat said. Zacatecas Gov. Tabasco state Exercise Increased Caution. Authorities said the kidnappers left road spikes in the path of oncoming police to evade pursuit. It terrifies me, Pia said of the violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. El Mencho: The drug lord filling the void El Chapo left behind, King Charles' coronation: The schedule, and how to watch the ceremony, Astronomers detect "Scary Barbie" black hole ripping apart huge star, King Charles III's net worth and where his wealth comes from, U.S. to let Afghan evacuees renew temporary legal status. State Officials Targeted as CJNG, Sinaloa Cartel Clash in Zacatecas, Mexico Across Mexico, murders have dropped less than 1 percent since Mr. Lpez Obrador took office, according to the countrys statistics agency. For most of the population of Fresnillo, a mining city in central Mexico, a fearful existence is the only one they know; 96 percent of residents say they feel unsafe, the highest percentage of any city in Mexico, according to a recent survey from Mexicos national statistics agency. Four Colombian citizens executed in Zacatecas - Zacatecas Post According to local reports, at least six individuals broke into the bar, firing shots, and proceeded to search the tables to locate the victims. David Monreal said he was starting work when he got word of the grisly discovery. State prosecutors said both crime scenes were being processed. Bodies of 5 men and 1 woman found dumped on road in Mexico amid bloody Fresnillos mayor, Sal Monreal, said the National Guard hasnt done enough. In the last year alone, homicides have increased by more than 60%. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. One showed possible signs of torture. One of the most violent clashes between the two rival cartels happened in June of last year, leaving 19 people dead. But the fear remained. When El Chapo was arrested in early 2016, Mexicos president bragged: Mission accomplished. Cartel war in Zacatecas leaves death, destruction and fear among the A street mural shows a young man killed in the Olivares neighborhood of Fresnillo. Cartel violence erupts: Dozens of bodies found dumped in northern The vehicle was parked under a Christmas. 10 murder victims' bodies dumped in front of Mexico governor's office Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. It will be virtually impossible to achieve peace without justice and [social] welfare, Amlo said, promising to slash the murder rate from an average of 89 killings per day with his hugs not bullets doctrine. The Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have been battling for control in the largely rural state through alliances with local gangs. In June, the bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men were found in Valparaiso in Zacatecas state, in what authorities said appeared to be the aftermath of a gun battle between the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels. Mexico has been unable to transform a justice . Late last year, grim incidents multiplied in the northern state with bodies found hanging in public places. Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) Exercise Increased Caution. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. Members of the National Guard providing security at a crime scene in Celaya, Mexico, last week. There are not many tourists here, but if you travel to Zacatecas you should keep in mind: do not rent a luxury car, park only in guarded parking, do not show up on the streets with jewelry, keep your valuables in a safe place, dont walk late at night. At least 948 people have been killed in Zacatecas over the first 10 months of this year. The risk of cheating with credit cards in Zacatecas is high. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. In January this year, an SUV with 10 dead bodies was dumped in front of the offices of the state governor, David Monreal vila, in the state capital, also called Zacatecas. The case was also mentioned by President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador during his weekly news conference Friday. The towns of Calera and General Estrada are located near the junction of two major Mexican highways (Mexico 45 and Mexico 54) leading to the U.S. border, and in a state international security experts say is being disputed by drug . The bodies of 16 people were found in two different cities in Mexico's Zacatecas state on Saturday amid a turf war between two powerful drug cartels. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:Chichen Itza,Merida,Uxmal, andValladolid. Sixteen bodies found in violence-prone Mexican state | Crime News | Al