Mexico travel alert renewed

By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times

Article Launched: 04/15/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT

The State Department has updated its travel alert for Mexico to warn U.S. tourists of ongoing border violence, including the current drug war in Juárez.

"Violent criminal activity fueled by a war between criminal organizations struggling for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the U.S.-Mexico border," the alert reads. "Attacks are aimed primarily at members of drug trafficking organizations, Mexican police forces, criminal justice officials, and journalists. However, foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region."

Last month, the Mexican government sent 2,000 soldiers and about 500 federal police officers to Juárez in response to the increasing drug-related violence that has contributed to many of the year's 200 or so murders.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza, who was in Juárez on April 4 to assess the situation, said U.S. tourists are not being asked to avoid traveling in Mexico. They are advised to use caution and to cooperate with official checkpoints on Mexican roads.

State Department officials said there was no evidence that U.S. citizens were being targeted.

But, "There is always the possibility to be at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Jack Riley, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in El Paso. "I would be cautious."