Photo byTim Mossholder / Pexels

The security situation in Mexico has worsened following the arrests of two Cartel Kingpins - especially in the state of Sinaloa where factions loyal to them are battling for control of their criminal enterprises. More than 30 people have been reported killed in the resulting violence.

This prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a security warning to U.S. Citizens on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024:

"(The U.S. Consulate) has received reports of car thefts, gunfire, security forces operations, roadblocks, burning vehicles and closed roadways in the vicinity of Culiacan in Sinaloa state." - Security Alert: Ongoing Violence and Security Concerns in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico

U.S. State Department Travel Advisory LevelsPhoto byU.S. State Department

Sinaloa was already under a "Level 4" (Do Not Travel) Advisory warning - so the new Security Alert for the city of Culiacan in that state provides additional information to U.S. citizens to reinforce that. -And Sinaloa is far from the only Mexican State the U.S. is warning against travel:

Map of U.S. State Department Travel Warnings in effect for Mexico (as of September 16, 2024).Photo byU.S. State Department

A U.S. State Department map of Mexico shows six states currently under a "Level 4" (Do Not Travel) Advisory and seven other Mexican States under a "Level 3" (Reconsider Travel) Advisory.

These Mexican states are under a "Do Not Travel" Advisory:

• Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Guerrero state due to crime.
• Michoacan state due to crime.
• Sinaloa state due to crime.
• Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.

These Mexican states are under a "Reconsider Travel" Advisory:

• Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Chiapas state due to crime.
• Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Guanajuato state due to crime.
• Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Morelos state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.

Additionally, the State Department urges U.S. Citizens to "Exercise Increased Caution" when traveling to:

• Aguascalientes state due to crime.
• Baja California Sur state due to crime.
• Coahuila state due to crime.
• Durango state due to crime.
• Hidalgo state due to crime.
• Mexico City due to crime.
• Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping.
• Nayarit state due to crime.
• Nuevo Leon state due to crime.
• Oaxaca state due to crime.
• Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Queretaro state due to crime.
• Quintana Roo state due to crime.
• San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Tabasco state due to crime.
• Tlaxcala state due to crime

There are no travel advisories to popular "Mayan Riviera" tourist destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel or Tulum.Photo byMichael JerrardonUnsplash

What about traveling to "Mayan Riviera" destinations that are popular with U.S. tourists like Cancun or Cozumel?

There are no State Department restrictions on travel in Yucatan state, which includes tourist areas in Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.

Would you travel to Mexico despite these U.S. State Department Warnings?

Share your opinion in the comments on this article!

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