On May 8, the Canadian government updated its Travel Advisory for Mexico regarding the “high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping” in one of the states and the potential unrest associated with the upcoming presidential election.
Canada urges its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution” when traveling to the entire Mexican territory.
The government had initially warned travelers about the deteriorating security situation in Guerrero State, but now it just advises citizens against all travel to that region.
One of the main reasons includes “the precarious security situation” in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis. This powerful tropical cyclone “made a devastating landfall in October 2023 near Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane.”
Except for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, a popular beach city highly visited between December and April where the government recommends “exercise a high degree of caution,” the rest of Guerrero State should be avoided due to its “threat of armed violence, banditry, and looting in cities and on roads,” reads the advisory.
Canada places special emphasis on the states of Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Chihuahua, Colima, Durango, Michoacán, Morelos and Nuevo León, where it urges citizens to “avoid all non-essential travel” due to “high levels of violence and organized crime.”
The low level of police action in these states makes it a breeding ground for rampant crime.
Presidential Elections
Mexico will hold major presidential elections on June 2, in which citizens will elect the new president, 628 congressmen and thousands of other political positions.
Traveling around this date may pose special risks for Canadians and other international travelers.
“General elections are scheduled to take place on June 2, 2024. Demonstrations and other political gatherings could occur before, during and after the elections,” says the government.
A heightened military presence is expected on most roads and streets and there are strong possibilities of blockages in cities and towns.
Canadians should avoid demonstrations and must not take part in them, as protesting against the Mexican government is a right foreign citizens don’t have.
“You may face deportation if you participate in demonstrations as a foreigner,” reads the advisory.
Other Safety Concerns
Violent crimes like homicides, carjacking, assaults and kidnappings are still prevalent in Mexico, even in popular tourist hotspots such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum and Acapulco.
Unaware bystanders have fallen victim to random shootings for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Cases of rape and sexual assault against Canadian women have happened at beach resorts and on public transportation.
Visitors to this destination must be aware of their surroundings at all times, avoid walking around or traveling by road at night, and monitor local media outlets for last-minute information.
The post Canada Updates Mexico Travel Advisory Ahead of Summer 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.
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By: Maria Valencia
Title: Canada Updates Mexico Travel Advisory Ahead of Summer 2024
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/canada-updates-its-travel-advisory-for-mexico-ahead-of-summer-2024/
Published Date: Thu, 09 May 2024 18:06:32 +0000
