U.S. warns citizens after narco terrorists launch offensive in Veracruz - 16 dead

"No motive" other than to attack civilians, say authorities; major carriers have suspended bus travel in the area until highways are secured by military forces

The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, just across the border from Brownsville, Texas, has issued an emergency travel alert for Americans in Veracruz state, after an attack there today left at least 11 bus passengers dead.

"Americans living in, visiting or traveling through the northern part of Veracruz should be on the alert, exercise extreme caution and avoid highway travel at night," said the warning.

Veracruz officials say that armed narco gunmen attacked three buses in separate assaults this morning. All 11 victims were civilians. Authorities say that afterwards, at least five of the gunmen were killed during shootouts with government troops and security forces. Witnesses reported that some of the assailants walked out of a bar shortly before events unfolded, and that a grenade was used in one of the attacks.

Among the dead was a young married couple, both 19. Their three month old daughter was wounded. The family had recently moved from Monterrey in northern Mexico -- a city with its own violent history -- to Veracruz in search of work. They were traveling back to their home town for the holidays. A 14 year old boy, also en route to a family Christmas gathering, was another victim.

The city of Veracruz is under Mexican army control after the entire 1,000 member police force was dismissed and the department disbanded yesterday (see story below). Drug cartels in the area, including Los Zetas and Cartel Golfo, are battling for control of lucrative drug routes from Veracruz north to the U.S. border, just a few hours away.

It could be argued that Veracruz state has become a virtual combat zone, given all that has happened there this year. As a footnote, the international organization Reporters without Borders said this week that Veracruz is one of the 10 most dangerous spots in the world for journalists. Veracruz could eventually overtake Ciudad Juárez as the most deadly region in Mexico. It's famous tourist trade and popularity with international visitors has been all but destroyed by the drug cartels.

One reporter who tried to cover the cartels in Veracruz: http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.com/2011/11/veracruz-press-furious-over-prosecutors.html.

Ambushed school teaches and cadavers on a Veracruz street: http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.com/2011/11/daily-obscenities-of-mexico.html.

Some countries say 65% of Mexico should be considered "off limits" to travelers: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/65-of-mexico-declared-off-limits-to.html.