This Warden Message is being issued to inform American citizens traveling to or residing in the Mexican state of Chihuahua that the US Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez received information on October 28, 2009 that drug cartels operating in the city of Ciudad Juarez may target random vehicles in drive by shootings or may call in bomb threats in an effort to distract law enforcement officials. The US government recommends exercising cautioning when driving through the city today.  The threat of random targeting of vehicles is not expected to continue past today.

There are also ongoing law enforcement operations against the cartels in the area near Avenida Gomez Morin and Puente Rotario also known as Puente al Reves.  US Consulate employees have been advised to avoid the area until operations are complete later today.

U.S. citizen victims of crime or their families are urged to contact the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate for advice or assistance.  During regular work hours, the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate can be reached at (656) 227-3411, by fax at (656) 227-3264 or by email at cdjamericancitizens@state.gov. After hours, in the event of an emergency only, the duty officer may be reached at (656) 327-7877. 

Americans residing or traveling in Chihuahua are encouraged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez.  Registration may be done online and can be done in advance of travel.  Information on registering may be found at the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website:  https://travelregistration.state.gov  U.S. citizens should also consult the Country Specific Information for Mexico and the Travel Alert for Mexico at the Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov.