MEXICO Travelers Safety

As found in Washington Post's Travel Section, by Andrea Sachs:

After July 2, 2006 Mexicos political arena has suffered dramatically. A number of complications erupted, more particularly in Mexico City and Oaxaca. Visitors to these places are warned about major traffic disruptions. Thousands of protestors claiming presidential electoral fraud have taken to the streets, creating huge roadblocks. Civil resistance that could lead to physical confrontation may take place anytime, without any previous warning, unexpectedly. State government teachers, doctors, populace in Oaxaca demand the dismissal of their Governor, a member of the PRI. What appears as official repression on the part of Oaxaca state and federal police has led to shootings, the death of several of the protestors. City buses were burned and in the downtown area youll find signs that read Tourists GO HOME! Oaxaca is an anti-capitalist city. If interested in more details, get a copy of Proceso magazine dated August 27, 2006. Violence may erupt anytime in both places. It is of the utmost importance that if at all possible you avoid areas known to be of conflict.

Mexico City, Oaxaca and Other Areas of Concern

·Especially important are the points between Periferico and downtowns Zocalo area, through Reforma and Juarez avenues.
·In Oaxaca: the entire downtown area, UABJO university, radio stations.

If you must physically be in these areas because of work or other reasons, before proceeding, BEWARE of your surroundings. If you see protestors marching on the streets, AVOID them. These may engage in confrontation with police or military. Acts of provocation may lead to passersby getting hurt. The only way you can PREVENT incidents is by monitoring live transmissions. If new in DF, try 796 in your AM dial. Also 88.1 or 102.5 in FM. In Oaxaca, 96.9 FM. At this point in time, no specific information exists about civil unrest, other than what is reported in Oaxaca City. Travel is completely discouraged to Oaxaca. Locations that after 9/11 became flooded with drugs intended for the US market -among others Tijuana, Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Michoacán- and beach areas such as Acapulco and Cancun have experienced an increase in violence among cartel rivals. No foreigners that we know of- have been the target of attack, unless they were directly involved, as its been the case in a few cases at the border. If you have questions, address these to your Embassys Consular Section, depending on your nationality. While there may be a few exceptions, most incidents have taken place between police officers and drug dealers or among rival cartel members.

Mexico City International Airport

The purpose of this message is to make sure you have a happy stay when you arrive or leave Mexico City. No other channel of communication contains these recommendations. We encourage you to read all articles in Security Corner to accomplish this. As in many other cities in the world, when you arrive in Mexico Citys Benito Juarez International Airport, you have to follow some basic common sense rules to protect yourself. First of all, before you come out of the plane, as you are getting your passport, visa or other documents such as your luggage tickets in order for inspection, filling out customs declaration forms etc. make sure that you have the complete and correct address where you plan to proceed after arrival. Why? Because Mexico City is a huge place, many streets, colonias have same names repeated. You want to make sure that when you order your taxi cab you do not hold the waiting line with last minute questions you are unable to answer at the booth.

Preventing Kidnapping Express: Protaxi & Sitio 300

It is always important to know where you will go, once you come out of the airport. Always plan ahead for the unexpected. One of the most common problems we have here is the kidnapping express. This is a criminal activity perpetrated by so called pirate taxi drivers. Follow these simple rules to be safe: Never leave the airport without FIRST having purchased your taxi ride from the only two authorized services: Protaxi or Sitio 300 Visit these sites, navigate in them, obtain pertinent information. The above two companies are independent, although they both operate from the same booths. They are clearly visible in all 3 arriving points.

Domestic Arrival

If arriving from a domestic flight - anywhere within the Mexican Republic - the taxi booth is across from the luggage collection area in Departure Gate A. In the event you missed to purchase the ticket in the restricted zone, one more booth is located just past the waiting areas.

International Arrival

If your international flight originated from the United States, Canada or Europe, the taxi booth in Departure Gate E1 is just past Customs, before you leave the restricted zone. If coming from the Caribbean, Central or South America, you will go through a rigorous checking process at Departure Gate E3 by Mexican Customs officials. They have a special mandate to carefully check luggage coming from these three regions. Possibly k-9 teams will be used to accomplish their goal. Once you have been cleared, come out of the inspection area, turn right and follow the hallway to the taxi booth across from the Freedom restaurant, inside the terminal. The Taxi sales person has 6 different zones and same number of price lists. Most of the time long lines will await for you, especially in peak-season.

More Information, here:

www.securitycornermexico.mex

A FREE monthly Help Column created by a retired US Embassy employee. We have no commercial or political interests. Our only business is your Safety.

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