The US has issued a warning about a preferred tourist destination in Mexico ahead of spring break.
On Jan. 27, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City cautioned against travel to the Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso and San Fernando towns within the Tamaulipas region bordering Texas and the Gulf of Mexico.
The threat level within the region has been upgraded to “Level 4 — Do Not Travel Because of Crime and Kidnapping,” the best of the U.S. State Department’s four-tier safety rating system.
Nonetheless, the travel advisory level for Mexico as an entire has remained at “Level 2 —Exercise Increased Caution” for several years, together with other popular American tourist destinations including France and Germany.
The recent alert was issued because of “increasingly frequent gun battles” within the areas within the late night and early morning hours, in addition to the rising implementation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by criminal organizations.
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This comes after the Mexican government issued a warning in regards to the devices following the destruction of an official Mexican vehicle in Rio Bravo by an IED on Jan. 23.
U.S. government employees specifically have been instructed to only travel in and around Reynosa and Rio Bravo during daylight and to avoid dirt roads throughout Tamaulipas.
People should concentrate on their surroundings, monitor local media for updates and notify family and friends of their safety.
Despite security concerns in several areas, international tourism to Mexico increased last 12 months, in line with data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), Mexico News Each day reported.
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The Tamaulipas region is thought for its natural attractions and eco-activities including beautiful beaches and prime birdwatching.
The safety warning comes as tensions between the U.S. and Mexico proceed to escalate amid tariff threats.