Americas - Mexico

Americas - Mexico
23 Mar 2009

 

 

The year 2008 saw a marked and worrisome increase in the overall level and brazen nature of violence throughout northeastern Mexico. U.S. Consulate General Monterrey covers five states in northern Mexico: Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Coahuila and Durango. The geographical distances, lack of accurate local reporting, and inherent security concerns for travel combine to make it extremely difficult to discern a clear picture of the current security situation throughout the consular district. Conservative estimates place the countrywide 2008 narco-trafficking related death toll at about 6,000. This is a significant increase from a death toll of approximately 2,500 in 2007.

 

On October 11, 2008, organized crime (OC) elements carried the fight to the doorsteps of the U.S. Government by throwing an unexploded hand grenade and firing small arms at U.S. Consulate General Monterrey. Federal, state, and local law enforcement responded quickly and forcefully to the incident but have yet to make any arrests in the case. OC elements and drug cartels continue to attack and harass law enforcement institutions at all levels of the Mexican government, hampering its goals to stabilize the region.

 

While proactive efforts against the cartels are ongoing, these policies are often stymied due to corruption at different levels of the Government of Mexico (GOM), including the arrest of several high-level Mexican law enforcement officials during 2008. Those that do not cave in to cartel influence are seen as obstacles and removed from the equation, as was the case in July 2008 with assassinations of the Federal Police Chief and his deputy who were in charge of Monterrey airport security. In the recent past, members of drug trafficking organizations and Mexican law enforcement officials have been targeted for violence. However, the cartels have shown few qualms in targeting rival cartel family members and risking the lives of innocent bystanders. In November 2008, the Mexican military conducted a raid at a local warehouse; the cartels rapidly responded with a series of random shootings around the city of Monterrey, designed to distract and pull the military off its objective. Although no one was killed or injured, this action placed an incalculable number of civilians at risk.

 

There is no evidence to indicate that criminals are specifically targeting U.S. citizens. However, foreign visitors (including Americans) have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the nearby border region. The December 2008 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Saltillo, Coahuila ,and the inefficient efforts by local law enforcement to solve the crime, are of particular concern.

 

 

Still fairly uncommon, carjackings in Monterrey dropped slightly for 2008. Vehicle theft numbers increased again, as did thefts from vehicles. Most vehicle break-ins were due to valuables being left in plain sight inside parked vehicles.

 

Residential burglaries are common in Monterrey, especially around the holidays when many homes are left vacant by vacationing families. Centrally-monitored residential alarms are strongly encouraged.

 

The level of bank robberies also remained about the same for 2008, and there were several reports of robberies at ATMs. Visitors are encouraged to avoid using ATMs in dark or isolated areas.

 

Visitors are vulnerable when visiting local red light districts, particularly if they are departing alone in the early hours of the morning. Use caution and common sense when visiting any foreign country.

 

 

If traveling by road, travelers should exercise caution at all times and avoid traveling at night whenever possible. Drivers on extended road trips, such as those driving to the interior of Mexico from the U.S., should make sure to get adequate rest. Several Americans are killed each year in Monterrey's consular district in accidents involving driver fatigue. Travelers are encouraged to use toll ("cuota") roads rather than the less secure "free" ("libre") roads where available. It is recommended to travel with at least half a tank of gasoline when in more remote areas. In addition, travelers should not hitchhike or offer rides to strangers anywhere in Mexico. Tourists should not hike alone in backcountry areas or walk alone on less frequented trails.

 

If stranded on the highway due to vehicle malfunction, dial 078 for roadside assistance. This service is provided free of charge by Mexico's Department of Tourism to all road travelers. More information on the services offered can be found on their website: http://www.sectur.gob.mx/wb2/sectur/sect_9453_angeles_verdes.

 

Political Violence

 

American interests in Monterrey are generally not targets of political violence. There is no history of American businesses being targeted by demonstrations. However, small peaceful demonstrations occur at the U.S. Consulate periodically without incident.

 

 

The threat from international terrorist groups is low. However, Mexico is an attractive potential transit point for transnational terrorists because of its geographic location, lax immigration controls, and the ease with which fake Mexican travel documents can be obtained.

 

 

Large scale public demonstrations or strikes are rare in Monterrey. It is recommended that travelers avoid demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by the Mexican authorities. The Mexican Constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

 

 

 

Monterrey is prone to flash floods during the hurricane season. It is common for streets to flood and for parts of the city to be completely cut off from other areas during periods of heavy rains. Avoid driving or walking in flooded areas. Every year in Monterrey, a number of deaths are attributed to pedestrians or vehicles being swept away by rushing water in flooded areas.

 

Monterrey is not prone to earthquakes.

 

 

Industrial accidents are always a concern in highly-industrialized areas of the city and along rail lines. The state of Nuevo Leon has a highly-trained team (“Proteccion Civil”) that can handle most industrial accidents, including hazardous material spills.

 

Transportation accidents are very common along the highways leading to and from the city and are often due to aggressive driving behavior. Monterrey sits on one of the busiest transportation corridors in Mexico and many of the highways are crowded with trucks laden with cargo.

 

 

In prior reporting, kidnap for ransom crimes had been viewed as relatively rare in the Monterrey region. This trend is changing and the area has witnessed a significant rise in kidnappings during 2008. Since most kidnappings are not reported to local authorities and are handled directly by the victim's family or an intermediary, it is almost impossible to determine an accurate number of actual abductions. U.S. Consulate General Monterrey strongly recommends that local authorities be contacted immediately to help resolve a kidnapping matter. While traditional kidnapping cases are not as pervasive in Monterrey when compared to other hot spots, the threat is very real in all parts of Mexico and should not be taken for granted. Drug-related kidnappings, commonly called "levantones," increased again in 2008 in the Monterrey area. Unfortunately, few of these cases have positive outcomes and the victims are seldom found alive, if found at all.

 

Local law enforcement has noted a changing trend in the type of kidnapping victims. Kidnapping gangs have targeted mid-level Mexican business executives and entrepreneurs who cannot afford elaborate security measures and demanded lower ransom amounts commensurate with the perceived victim's status. Some analysts in Nuevo Leon have stated unofficially that there were 127 reported kidnappings in 2008. They further advised that local law enforcement received about two to three criminal complaints per day for "levantones."

 

U.S. Consulate General Monterrey was apprised of twelve kidnappings of U.S. citizens in the last half of 2008. Of those twelve, the status of four victims remains undetermined at this time. One of the most significant kidnappings for 2008 involved the abduction of a U.S. businessman and anti-kidnapping consultant, who was conducting training in Saltillo, Coahuila. 

Virtual kidnapping continues to be a common occurrence. Extortionists call prospective victims on the telephone posing as kidnappers and demand payments in return for the release of an allegedly detained family member, usually a child. Persons receiving such calls should be extremely skeptical; most demands or threats are baseless. Persons receiving such calls should contact the local police immediately by dialing 066.

 

 

Narcoterrorism related violence continues to dominate much of the surrounding area. In the wake of the 2007 public battles between rival cartel factions for dominance, an alleged, yet tenuous, truce has held for most of 2008 in Monterrey. Mexican military and federal police elements continue to lead the charge in furthering Mexican President Calderon’s mandates against drug cartels and organized crime. As a result of this hard line stance, Mexican federal authorities are often subjects of reprisals by the cartels. Numerous soldiers and police have been killed by cartel enforcers for their actions in the drug war during 2008. In October 2008, nine Mexican Army soldiers were captured, tortured, and murdered by cartels as a direct response to prior Mexican military counternarcotics actions. Cartels also began adopting grotesque terror tactics from other parts of the world, such as beheadings. There are additional concerns as to what other extraterritorial terror tactics may migrate into Mexico.

 

 

Police response and professionalism varies widely depending on the municipality in the Monterrey metropolitan area. Some police departments, such as the San Pedro Police in Monterrey, are well-trained, well-paid, and professional, while police departments in other areas may not be as efficient or responsive. Police response can vary widely depending on the type of emergency and area.

 

Police corruption, as widely reported by the media, continues to be a problem. Be aware that offering a bribe to a public official to avoid a traffic fine or other penalty is a crime in Mexico.

 

Although police services may not be equal to those in the U.S., visitors are strongly encouraged to contact the police in an emergency (066). U.S. citizens are advised to cooperate with the police if stopped or questioned. For information regarding assistance for American citizens who become victims of a crime, please contact the American Citizen Services office at (81) 8342-8506.

 

 

Monterrey has adequate medical facilities. Facilities outside of the metropolitan area are more limited. In an emergency, dial 066 or 065 for an ambulance. Wait times for ambulances can vary greatly. Permanent residents in Monterrey are encouraged to contract a private ambulance service in order to ensure prompt service.

 

The hospitals used more frequently by consulate staff are:

 

San Jose Hospital
Phone: 8347-1011
Av. Morones Prieto No. 3000 PTE
Monterrey, N.L. 64710

 

Hospital Santa Engracia
Phone: 8368-7788
Av. Frida Kahlo #180
San Pedro Garza Garcia, N.L. 66260

 

 

Although Monterrey is reported to have lower non-drug related crime rates than other Mexican cities, visitors are urged to remain vigilant and use common sense during their stay. Travelers should leave valuables and irreplaceable items in a safe place or at home. All visitors are encouraged to make use of hotel safes where available, avoid wearing expensive jewelry, and carry only the cash or credit cards that will be needed on each outing.

 

Because of the increased threat of narco-related violence and crime, from time to time, U.S. Consulate General Monterrey limits travel of its employees to the states of Durango and the southern two-thirds of Coahuila. When this happens, notices will be sent by the consulates or U.S. Embassy Mexico City and posted on the web indicating the nature of the concern, as well as the expected time period for which the restriction remains in place.

 

Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, even when in areas generally considered safe. The use of street or gypsy taxis is strongly discouraged. Visitors are recommended to utilize radio taxis or hotel transportation services. Women traveling alone are especially vulnerable and should exercise caution, particularly at night. Victims, who are almost always unaccompanied, have been raped, robbed of personal property, or abducted, and then held while their credit cards were used at various businesses and ATMs. U.S. citizens should be very cautious in general when using ATMs in Mexico. If an ATM must be used, it should be accessed only during business hours at large protected facilities (preferably inside commercial establishments, rather than at glass-enclosed, highly visible ATM on the street). U.S. and Mexican citizens are sometimes accosted on the street and forced to withdraw money from their accounts using their ATM cards.

 

 

U.S. Consulate General Monterrey
Phone: (81) 8047-3100
Av Constitucion #411 PTE
Monterrey, N.L. 64006

 

After hours, American citizens needing emergency assistance from the consulate may call the duty officer at 81-8362-9126.

 

 

Monterrey has an active OSAC Council. The point of contact is RSO Michael A. Murphy, murphyma@state.gov, 52 81 8047-3100 ext. 3281.