Mexico, New Warden’s alert for Guadalajara

SUBJECT: SECURITY UPDATE
Date: February 03, 2011

Warden Message issued from U.S. Consulate Guadalajara

This Warden Message is being issued due to a marked escalation of criminal activity in the Guadalajara metropolitan area and includes updated safety recommendations for all U.S. citizens residing or traveling in the Guadalajara area.

On the evening of February 1st, beginning at approximately 8:45PM, a series of road blockades were set up in various sections of the Guadalajara metropolitan area. The blockades consisted of buses, trucks and cars being forcibly commandeered and set on fire. One of the blockades was installed on the Chapala highway between Guadalajara and the airport at the same point that was targeted on the evening of Saturday, January 15th.

In light of the changing security situation, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara has now prohibited U.S. Government officials from travelling after dark between Guadalajara and the Guadalajara International Airport and recommends that U.S. citizens consider similar precautions. The Consulate General’s prohibition on intercity travel for U.S. Government officials after dark remains in force.

Additional safety recommendations:

· Make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads which generally are more secure;

· Delay any travel if media reports road closures due to police or emergency responder activity;

· If the road in front of you has been blocked due to a security incident or natural disaster, attempt to return to your point of origin using available alternate routes;

· If you are presented with an imminent threat on the road, do not hesitate to run over any median (or similar obstacle) to make an emergency U-turn to get out of harm’s way;

· If physical barriers along the road prevent emergency evasive action in any direction, locate a restaurant, shopping mall, hotel, or another business establishment where you can temporarily remove your vehicle from the road and take cover until the road is clear;

· If you are driving or walking and you hear or see gun fire and/or explosions, take immediate evasive action, get down on the ground or behind a solid barrier (engine block, tree planter, etc.) and evacuate the area as soon as it is safe to move;

· Always call “066” (equivalent of 911 in the USA) immediately if you are exposed to a life threatening situation requiring emergency police or fire responders.

U.S. citizens resident or traveling in Mexico are urged to enroll with the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate via the Department of State’s on-line registration service through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) located at http://travel.state.gov. Travel registration allows the Department of State to contact its citizens in the event of an emergency and to provide up-to-date safety and security information. Registrants wishing to receive such information must provide an e-mail address with their registration. All registrants are urged to provide complete contact information and a departure date when completing their registration on-line.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara is located at 175 Progreso Street; Col. Americana, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara’s telephone number is 011 52 33 3268 2100; the fax number is 011 52 33 3825 1951. For after-hours emergencies, please call 011 52 33 3268 2145.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta is located at Paseo de los Cocoteros #85; Sur Paradise Plaza, Interior Local L-7, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, C.P. 63732.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta’s telephone numbers are 011 52 322 222 0069 & 011 52 322 223 3301; the fax number is 011 52 322 223 0074. For after-hours emergencies, please call 011 52 33 3268 2145.