Torture is widely practiced to obtain confessions and extract information. Increased crime levels and reports of incidents lead the U.S. to review its guidance for travel to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Forbes Magazine interviewed an FBI agent who worked in Mexico, and he said the country is safe if you use common sense. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. The Defense Ministry has paid compensation to families but has not sanctioned any soldiers or reported the cases to police or prosecutors for criminal investigation. In 2019, crime in Mexico was a serious issue. In 2016the last year for which data is availableMexicos national statistics office surveyed more than 64,000 people incarcerated in 338 prisons. Mexico has made the vaccine eligible by regions and age groups, from older to younger people. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state. Instead of police reform, Lpez Obrador has intensified militarization of public life in Mexico not just in security, but also in the economic domain. The CDC's latest guidance on international travel for vaccinated people can be foundhere. major theme parks in 2022. The month before, a California travel blogger and a German tourist were killed in a shooting in Tulum. It has also taken steps to determine and publish the true number of people disappeared, gathering information from authorities and creating an online platform to report disappearances anonymously and show real-time numbers of those disappeared, excluding personally identifying information. In a 2020 survey by UNHCR and UNICEF, half of Hondurans interviewed in Mexico named violence as the main reason for their leaving. Schools were closed in Mexico from March 2020 to August 2021, and classes were broadcast on television and radio. So what is a traveler to do? Amidst this systematic weakening of Mexicos institutions, the effort by him and his Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero to gut and reverse Mexicos judicial reforms toward an accusatorial system and weaken judicial independence are among the most detrimental. Places with high homicide rates include the northern border cities of Tijuana and Ciudad Jurez, Ciudad Obregn in Sonora as well as Zamora and Uruapan in Michoacn. In November 2019, the Senate named Rosario Piedra Ibarra to head the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). Instead of using force and judicial prosecution, Lpez Obrador seeks to reduce crime in Mexico through socio-economic anti-crime programs, part of his overall vastly popular redistribution strategy for Mexicos many poor and marginalized. Impunity remains the norm. Hidalgo state Exercise Increased Caution. Mexican immigration officials have refused to follow court rulings ordering them to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in immigration detention centers. And the state police forces can only investigate ordinary crime, not organized crime. Share this via Email Nuevo Leon state Exercise Increased Caution. MEXICO CITY The corpses of three people, dismembered and burned, were found in bags in Abasolo, in the state of Guanajuato, on Sept. 2. March 17, 2022. Many suffered abuses from criminal cartels or Mexican authorities. In June 2020, Mexico was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021 to 2022. Quintana Roo state Exercise Increased Caution. In September, the Secretary of Defense announced that only military policeno civilian prosecutorswere investigating. Thus, they can act against crime and arrest people only when they see crime happeningin flagrancia. Tijuana is one of the more dangerous areas in, Mexico. With Autocrats on the Defensive, Can Democrats Rise to the Occasion. And in December, the new U.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health and Safe Communities went into effect, replacing the Mrida Initiative that Lpez Obrador intensely disliked while his administration severely minimized U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. Although 94 percent of Mexican households have television, a lack of affordable internet access left many children, especially those in low-income households or with disabilities, unable to fully participate in education. Reductions in fighting, such as in Michoacns Apatzingn or Guerreros Acapulco where I conducted fieldwork, occurs mainly because a particular group or criminal alliance manages to establish temporary territorial control, a narcopeace: be it Crteles Unidos in that part of the Tierra Caliente, or Caro Quinteros and Los Chapitos branches of the Sinaloa Cartel in high-value extortion and drug trafficking in Acapulco. Includes a market overview and trade data. In 2020, the government reported nearly 1,000 femicideskillings of women because of their gender. Areas of violent contestation, such as Zacatecas or San Luis Potos, can become almost anarchical with violence. Journalists and human rights defendersparticularly those who criticize public officials or expose the work of criminal cartelsoften face attacks, harassment, and surveillance by government authorities and criminal groups. According to their latest travel advisory, Mexico is considered: Level 3: Reconsider Travel The crime and violence rates referenced in the travel advisory are for broad regions while the incidence of this activity tends to be highly concentrated in areas which are not frequented by travelers. On May 4, Giovanni Lopez died in police custody after police allegedly beat him for three hours. In June 2020, the State of Mexico issued the government's first trafficking conviction through a virtual platform. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas. Mexico Ends Warning System For Covid And Will Treat Virus As Endemic. Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Lpez Obrador has openly opposed wind and solar energy production. Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022. Mexicos law-enforcement forces still lack incapacitation and deterrence capacities. The National Guard, like SEMAR and SEDENA, lacks an investigative authority. Thats just the tip of the iceberg. Three days later, a trans woman was murdered in the same. However, in a leaked audio recording from 2019, a senior migration official told her team they were now under the instruction and supervision of the National Guard. In September 2021, National Guard troops and Mexican immigration agents violently detained a series of caravans of asylum seekers in Chiapas state, leaving many injured. But the boys merely paid off or intimidated the hair salons into certifying the boys participation in the training without actually attending it. And in December, the newU.S.-Mexico Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communitieswent into effect, replacing the Mrida Initiative that Lpez Obrador intensely disliked while his administrationseverely minimizedU.S.-Mexico security cooperation. In 2019, Human Rights Watch documented cases of state-run hospitals and private individuals who shackled people with disabilities. Veracruz state Exercise Increased Caution. Yet, the 2022 outlook for both the rule of law and public safety in Mexico and meaningful U.S.-Mexico security cooperation remains bleak. Police, the military, and criminal groups are responsible for many disappearances. This was 0.058% of total Mexico population. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Queretaro state Exercise Increased Caution. Review the. U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions: Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state. The overarching bipolar rivalry between the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG spans not just Mexico but violently all the way to Colombia and non-violently into Asia-Pacific. Even if that means succumbing to the narcos. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state. Even if that means succumbing to the narcos. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities. Published by Statista Research Department , Apr 25, 2022 In March 2022, the most usual type of crime reported in Mexico was family violence. This will allow Mexico to increase its emissions while technically meeting its targets. U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions: There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state, which include tourist areas in:Cancun,Cozumel, Isla Mujeres,Playa del Carmen,Tulum, andtheRiviera Maya. Mexico highlighted that one of its priorities on the council would be the protection of children. The picture is not good. Some provisions, including those that peg the severity of punishments for sexual offenses to the chastity of the victim, contradict international standards. Yet, the 2022 outlook for both the rule of law and public safety in Mexico and meaningful U.S.-Mexico security cooperation remains bleak. It might seem that 2022 is starting off with important positive news about the crime and security situation in Mexico. Whether you care about business, politics or travel, Mexico Today will provide you with a recap of key stories playing across the country. Only 4 in 10 New Mexico residents say they worry about their safety every day, but even fewer think New Mexico is a safe place to live. Michoacan state due to crime . To various degrees, the criminal groups build political power by intimidating and bribing government officials, and obtain political capital with local populations by giving social handouts and organizing narco courts to arbitrate disputes. A website compared crime statistics between Mexico and the United States and found Mexico to be less dangerous in many statistical categories. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. As one of the worlds top 15 emitters of greenhouse gases, Mexico is contributing to the climate crisis that is taking a growing toll on human rights around the globe. In 2019, he created the National Guard to replace the Federal Police as the governments principal law enforcement body. Asocio-economic component to enablelocal populations access to legal income is important, thoughnot a replacement for good policing. Solomon Pea, an unsuccessful 2022 Republican Candidate for New Mexico House District 14, was arrested Monday by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) SWAT team for a string of recent shootings . The Mexican governments response remains deeply troubling mostly a hope the criminals will sort it out among themselves. (Photo by Guillermo Arias / AFP) (Photo by GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images), Women need to be careful in Mexico. Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Under the Lpez Obrador administration, serious gaps remain in protecting the rights of people with disabilities. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state, which includes tourist areas in:Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo,andLa Paz. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state. From 2013 through 2020, the CNDH received 3,799 complaints. Arrive during daylight and take a regulated taxi or ride-sharing service when transiting after sunset. There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:San Miguel de Allende,Guanajuato City, andsurrounding areas. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. When forces such as the Mexican Army (SEDENA) and Navy (SEMAR) or the National Guard, now numbering perhaps 100,000, are deployed, they are mostly sent to patrol the streets without active operations against local criminal groups. In 2019, President Lpez Obrador deployed the National Guard for migration enforcement. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state. Authorities have also increased security measures in these areas, including Cancn, Acapulco, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. As this and my upcoming Mexico Today OpEds will detail, the picture is not good. Many teachers protested the re-opening, at the height of the third wave of reported Covid-19 deaths. Mexicos asylum system is severely overstretched. Introducing new standards and mask verification technology to prioritize health and safety in the face of COVID-19. Underneath that macro-war, many violent micro-conflicts play out in Mexico, as smaller criminal groups fight over drug, extortion, and other criminal markets and seek to control local politicians and populations. An error occurred while subscribing your email address. Seeing them with arms and trucks gives people confidence. Well, it didnt to the local people with whom I had a chance to speak. Peru suffers high rates of gender-based violence. The Lpez Obrador government blames poor security on state authorities, and state authorities blame it on municipal ones. When forces such as the Mexican Army (SEDENA) and Navy (SEMAR) or the National Guard, now numbering perhaps 100,000, are deployed, they are mostly sent to patrol the streets without active operations against local criminal groups. There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:Guadalajara Metropolitan Area,Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit),Chapala, andAjijic. Now they seek to influence with violence and money who can run and win to begin with. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. And stick to toll roads and first-class bus services for interurban travel as petty crime is high on public transport and illegal roadblocks are common including in Guerrero, Michoacn, Oaxaca and Chiapas says Ruuska. As a government official in Tierra Caliente told me: Frankly, public security here, all life really, is totally managed by the narcos.. According to NGOs, however, the state search committees often lacked the capacity to fulfill their mandate. Violent crime is widespread. In August 2021, hurricanes Grace and Nora caused flooding, landslides, and power outages in multiple states, killing at least nine people. Organized crime activity - including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking . Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state. U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, includingCopper Canyon. Other ways to share U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. As a security official in the Tierra Caliente explained to me, the objective of the deployments of the National Guard or joint patrols is not to fight the criminals, or even to deter them: [w]e send the National Guard in joint patrols with state police or the military to stand on the street. Justice in Mexico releases 2021 Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico Report October 22, 2021 10/22/21- (written by rramos)- Justice in Mexico has released the third edition of Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico, coordinated by Laura Y. Caldern, Kimberly Heinle, Rita E. Kuckertz, Octavio Rodrguez Ferreira, and David A. Shirk. Officials expect to receive more than 100,000 applications in 2021. The Mexican government had reported a decline in kidnappings until it stopped publishing statistics on ths category of crime in April 2013. Brazen homicides persist at unacceptable levels. In the face of uninvestigated violence, many journalists self-censor. Women and pregnant people face many barriers when trying to access abortion, even when it is legal. Maintaining situational awareness of your surroundings and practicing good security precautions with your . Globally, it ranks at number 19 in the list of countries with the highest . In October and November, I spent several weeks in various parts of Mexico researching the evolution of crime and security policies. Warring drug cartels have resulted in a high (and increasing) murder rate and violence. Mexican laws do not adequately protect women and girls, including those with disabilities, against gender-based and sexual violence. When transiting, avoid public transport and hailing taxis on the street, and use app-based services or regulated taxi stands. As with journalists, violence against human rights defenders is rarely investigated or prosecuted. Indeed, the Yucatan is one of the only states in Mexico with no transnational criminal organization or terrorist group. Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. GUANAJUATO, Mexico This colonial city, with its Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets, has long beckoned Mexican . The court found that absolute criminalization of abortion is unconstitutional and that women should not be criminally prosecuted for undergoing the procedure. No bond set. And indeed, it doesnt respond. The official leading Mexicos response has called large-scale testing useless and a waste of time, despite the World Health Organizations insistence on the importance of testing. Violent crime and gang activity are common. But what I heard from interlocutors in Mexico was a most problematic vision of the Framework by the Mexican government namely, that the United States should only take care of its own territory by reducing drug demand and retail in the United States and the flows of drug money and weapons to Mexico, while Mexico will do whatever it wants, without U.S. input, in Mexico. Mexico is a country that's rich in all sorts of things: food, culture, music, history, nature. There is no real history of political unrest in the state. 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