Transcript Situational Awareness Spotlight: Mexico

February 2012 State Department
Travel Warning
“U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government
has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs
(Transnational Criminal Orgs) which engage in narcotics
trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico.”
Crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country
and U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including
homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway
robbery.
Northern Mexico: Baja
California
• Major Destination: Tijuana
• Targeted assassinations continue to take place in Baja
California. Turf battles between criminal groups proliferated
and resulted in numerous assassinations in areas of Tijuana
frequented by U.S. citizens.
Northern Mexico: Sinaloa
• Major Destination: Mazatlan
• Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the
city of Mazatlan where you should exercise caution
particularly late at night and in the early morning.
Southern Mexico: Jalisco and
Colima
• Major Destinations in Jalisco: Jalisco Guadalajara and Puerto
Vallarta
• Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the
states of Michoacán and Zacatecas.
• Major Destinations in Colima: Manzanillo
• Exercise extreme caution when traveling through the areas of
the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacán.
Mexican Drug Cartel Map
Mexican Drug Cartel Spotlight: Los
Zetas
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Active 1999-present
Lead by Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano
Comprised of former Mexican and Guatemalan military elitists
Considered the most violent, powerful, and technologically
advanced drug cartel in Mexico.