Safe Global Serv rvices International Traveler’s Training - Mexico
OBJECTIVES • State Department: Mexico’s Travel Policy • Brief Overview of the Mexican Drug War (the Violence and the Cartels behind it) • Crime Statistics in Reynosa and Tamaulipas • International Travel • Global Kidnapping Assessment (Mitigating Risks) • Recommendations for International Travelers (Safety Tips) • Travel Awareness (Detecting Surveillance) • Final Thoughts
State Department: Five Mexican States With Highest Warning “Do Not Travel” • Five states in Mexico now have a “Do Not Travel" advisories, which puts them on the same level as war-torn countries like Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, and Somalia. • The Mexican States are • Tamaulipas • Sinaloa • Colima • Michoacan • Guerrero • These states have been given a Level 4 Warning, the highest level of potential danger. • Most of northern Mexico has a Level 3 Warnings, meaning “Reconsider Travel” . • Mexico as a whole has a Level 2 Rating, meaning Americans should “Exercise Increased Caution" because of concerns about crime.
MEXICO: TRAVEL ADVISORY LEVELS
Why Did the State Department Say Tamaulipas Was Unsafe for Travel? • Known for: A border state located on Mexico’s Gulf coast; Tamaulipas has long been defined by its proximity to the U.S. A large amount of Mexican trade travels through the state, and U.S. Citizens frequently cross into Matamoros and Reynosa. ( Tamaulipas’ population is approximately 3.5 million and Reynosa’s population is approximately 700,000 with an additional 400,000 floating population ). • Homicide rate: 20 deaths per 100,000 a 25% increase from the average from 2013 to 2016. • What’s happening: Tamaulipas has been engulfed in violence mainly between several factions of the Gulf Cartel and Cartel Del Noroeste (New Zetas) who are assisted by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. While the homicide rate there is not as high as in other five states, extortion and kidnappings are rampant. • About one-fourth of all kidnappings in Mexico occur in Tamaulipas ( most of these kidnappings are drug related and the victims are from opposing groups ).
GULF CARTEL • Many of the once-dominant Organized Criminal Organizations such as the Gulf Cartel, have fragmented into several, often competing, organizations. • This fragmentation is driving most of the violence in Mexico. • Reynosa is in the midst of a particularly brutal period as remnants of the Gulf Cartel are now at war with each another over control of the plaza, the smuggling drug routes, and other criminal activity. • The infighting has driven the heavy violence in Reynosa since 2017 and in other parts of the state. The violence led to a record number of murders in 2017: 29,168, which surpassed the previous record of 27,213, set in 2011. • If Matamoros regains control over the region, the violence could diminish but it will likely result in a lot more bloodshed to eliminate all the opposition.
MEXICAN CARTELS AREAS OF DOMINANT INFLUENCE
JALISCO NEW GENERATION CARTEL
Staying Safe South of the Border • Most of the violence in Tamaulipas involves Gulf Cartel fighting each other and other cartels. • There is a continuing risk of collateral damage because of the military-grade weapons used by the cartels and the gun battles they have with each another and the military. • The smaller groups that survived the cartel breakups are less capable of transnational drug trafficking. • This means that they are often forced to rely on more localized crimes, such as kidnapping, extortion, cargo theft, carjacking and fuel theft, to raise operational funds.
Spikes/Ponchallantas
NATIONAL RANKINGS FOR TAMAULIPAS 2018-2019 • Homicide = 15 • Kidnapping = 1 • Extortion = 12 • Vehicle Theft = 20
Major Crimes Committed in Reynosa Compared to Tamaulipas for March of 2019 : The Gulf Cartel commits most of the crime in Reynosa. There is very little gang activity. Category Reynosa Tamaulipas Level of Violence Level of Violence in Reynosa in Tamaulipas Homicide 26 62 High Medium Kidnapping 2 5 Low Low Extortion 2 9 Low Low Vehicle Theft 130 309 Medium Medium Street Drug 0 22 Low Low Dealers Home 134 194 Medium Medium Burglaries Business 44 189 High High Burglaries Aggravated 35 209 High Medium Assaults Sexual Assault 9 38 Medium Medium Domestic 140 612 High High Violence Femicide 0 0 Low Low
Global Kidnapping Assessment (International Travel) • Due to the perceived wealth and influence of U.S. private-sector employees, kidnapping continues to pose a significant threat. • Kidnap for Ransom (KFR) by criminal organizations is used to finance their operations. • Traditional KFR has been somewhat supplemented by “Express Kidnapping” schemes that involve brief abductions with smaller payouts (often through ATM withdrawals) in order to avoid prolonged negotiations. • “Virtual Kidnappings,” in which actors use personal information to convince family members or employers that an individual has been abducted and that his/her release is contingent upon the payment of a ransom (when in fact the individual may not actually be in custody). • While it is impossible to prevent the threat of kidnapping entirely, certain practices have proven successful in mitigating the risk; these include: monitoring advisories, remaining vigilant, minimizing displays of wealth, avoiding predictability, practicing travel and road safety, and protecting personal information. • In the event that a kidnapping occurs, family/employers should contact the nearest embassy or consulate and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Monitor Advisories • U.S. embassies and consulates routinely post consular messages indicating an increased risk of kidnapping and suggesting restrictions on travel to vulnerable areas. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories /mexico-travel-advisory.html • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security updates and facilitate contact by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to in the event of an emergency. https://step.state.gov/ • Report your travel activities into Mexico to employer, co-workers, and family.
United States Embassy in Mexico City Address: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de Mexico Telephones: From Mexico 01-555-080-2000 From the United States 011-52-555-080-2000 Website: https://mx.usembassy.gov/
Consulate in Matamoros Address: Calle Primera #2002, Colonia Jardin, Matamoros, Tamaulipas Telephones: From Mexico: (868)-208-2000 From the U.S.: 011 52 (868) 208-2000 Hours of Operation: General Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. American Citizen Services: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointment is required. Email: MatamorosUSCitizens@state.gov or MatamorosACS@state.gov
Consulate in Nuevo Laredo Address: Paseo Colon 1901, Colonia Madero, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas For emergencies: From Mexico 01-800-681-9374 From the United States 1-844-528-6611 The U.S. Citizen Services Unit is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except U.S. & Mexican Holidays). Business Hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). After-hours Line for U.S. Citizen Emergencies From Nuevo Laredo: 01-555-080-2000 From the United States: 011-52-555-080-2000 Email: nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation • Laredo, Texas Address: 105 Shiloh Drive, Laredo, Texas, 78045 Telephone 956-723-4021 • McAllen, Texas Address: 1200 N. McColl Road, McAllen, Texas, 78501 Telephone 956-984-6300 • Brownsville, Texas Address: 2305 Hudson Blvd., Brownsville, Texas, 78526 Telephone 956-546-6922 After Hours: • San Antonio Division (Headquarters for Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville) Address: 5740 University Heights Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78249 Telephone: 210- 225-6741
Remain Vigilant • The basics of personal security is situational awareness. • Situational awareness can help mitigate the risk of kidnapping. • Be aware of your surroundings at all times , especially on the walk to and from your vehicle and ATMs (don’t stop if you don't have to). • If you detect that you are being watched or followed, do not panic . • Walk or drive to the nearest safe location, such as a police station, hotel, or other safe area (not always possible in Tamaulipas). • It is good practice to be aware of these “safe haven” locations in advance. • Have a Smart Phone (best way to find/track you and possibly your lifeline). • Stay off the cell phone ( be aware of your surroundings ). • Memorize a number you can call in case you lose your cell phone.
Minimize Displays of Wealth • Kidnappers often strategically target their victims based on their perceived financial value. • Americans are assumed to be wealthy, regardless of their actual economic standing. • Avoiding wearing expensive jewelry or driving luxury vehicles may reduce the likelihood of being targeted. • Travel with the least amount of identifiable information to include credit cards, address/phone books, laptops, etc. • Keep car keys separate from house/office keys.
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