State Department: Americans risk being kidnapped or murdered in Mexico

The U.S. State Department issued a warning to U.S. citizens about the increased risk of violent crime in Mexico, saying that Americans who travel to the once popular vacation destination are essentially taking their own life in their hands.

The foreign affairs department illuminated recent gang warfare, violence and targeted assassinations in the Baja California area of the country, which is located on the Pacific Coastline just south of California.

“Violent crime — such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery — is widespread and common in Mexico,” the State Department wrote in its notice issued Wednesday, saying that Americans should not rely on their help if they get into trouble.

“The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.”

The warning comes shortly after the State Department published a shelter-in-place alert for five Mexican cities in the state of Baja California last weekend after criminal gangs started fires, sparking a wave of police activities including roadblocks.

“Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes,” the notice said of the Baja California activity. “Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed.”

That notice said that some U.S. citizens have also been victims of kidnapping in border cities like Tijuana, a frequent short term destination for Southern Californians and San Diegans.

San Diego County Vice Chair Nora Vargas addressed the violence for Southern Californians after the consulate warned of violence in northern Mexico, tweeting, “I encourage our binational residents to be cautious and follow the recommendations from government officials and avoid unnecessary travel to allow authorities to do their work and maintain safety. My thoughts are with those impacted by the incidents.”