The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, tonight issued an alert for American citizens in the area, and for those traveling through the state of Tamaulipas. Mexican authorities say the Los Zetas and Cartel Golfo are locked in a bitter struggle to control narcotics trafficking in the region. The U.S. warning is reproduced in full below.
Tamaulipas state is a deadly area of Mexico, right next door to Texas. An American citizen and her two teenage daughters who crossed the border at Brownsville were executed on a bus several days before Christmas 2011. They were in route to a family holiday gathering when gunmen stopped the vehicle and indiscriminately fired on passengers. The killings occurred inside adjacent Veracruz state, but the bus had passed through Tamaulipas on the way. A newspaper facility in Ciudad Victoria, the increasingly dangerous capital city of Tamaulipas, was the subject of a car bombing attack less than two weeks ago. Details about all of those events, as well as the general U.S. State Dept. travel warning issued for 18 of Mexico's 32 states on Feb. 8, 2012, are contained in the links below.
Jun. 4, 2012 - Citing continued violence in the area, the State Dept. renewed the warning.
U.S. State Dept. issues new travel alert for Mexico (Feb. 8, 2012): http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/02/us-issues-new-travel-alert-for-mexico.html.
Violence in Tamaulipas state
A Free Press under fire in Mexico: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/03/free-press-under-fire-in-mexico-and.html.
Three Americans named as victims in Veracruz bus attack: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/three-americans-named-as-victims-in.html.
Death toll along Veracruz-Tamaulipas border rises: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/death-toll-along-veracruz-tamaulipas.html.
Update on Texans executed in Veracruz state: "I told her not to go to Mexico": http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/update-on-texas-family-executed-in.html.
U.S. sailor goes out for a Christmas cup of tea, loses his life on Tampico street: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/us-sailor-who-went-out-for-christmas.html.
Internet blogger decapitated by Los Zetas: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/internet-user-executed-by-los-zetas.html.
Update on the "social media executions" in Tamaulipas: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/09/update-on-social-media-executions-in.html.
Cuidado con tus “tweets” – ¡los sicarios te matarán!: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/09/cuidado-con-tus-tweets-los-sicarios-te.html.
Text of official U.S. government travel alert issued March 31, 2012
The United States Consulate General in Matamoros advises U.S. citizens of a recent increase in security incidents in Ciudad Victoria, the capital city of the state of Tamaulipas. Since March 14, 2012, the Consulate has received increased reports of violence, including gun battles, grenade attacks and a car bombing. The attacks in Ciudad Victoria have occurred at or near government and public buildings, including the city hall and two major car dealerships, and have resulted in injuries to or death of pedestrians, police, and suspected members of Transnational Criminal Organizations. United States citizens should exercise caution and remain vigilant while living in or traveling through Ciudad Victoria and the state of Tamaulipas.
Because these violent incidents can erupt suddenly and without warning in both residential and commercial areas, innocent bystanders, including Americans, may also be at risk. If you are in the area of a gunbattle and are able to safely do so, leave the area for a secure location. If you are unable to leave the area, move behind a wall or other barrier or lie flat on the ground. If you are in your home or other building and hear possible gunfire, do not go to the window to see what is happening. Instead, go to a secure area of the building, preferably to a room with few windows and a door that will lock. Keep close to the floor and remain there until the fighting is over.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/ where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Please review the Department of State’s Travel Warning concerning travel within Mexico and the state of Tamaulipas, available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665.html. The Department continues to advise U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas. We also encourage U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without internet access may register in person or by phone with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
For any emergencies involving American citizens in the Matamoros consular district, please call or visit the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General on Avenida Primera 2002, Col. Jardin, Matamoros, Tamaulipas; telephone (011)(52)(868) 812-4402; http://matamoros.usconsulate.gov/.
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