Location: Mexicali Valley, Baja California
Event: Cartel Violence
This Security Alert replaces the Security Alert of April 23, 2021.
The U.S. Consulate General Tijuana has updated its travel restrictions for U.S. government personnel.
U.S. travelers should be aware of additional travel restrictions for U.S. government personnel in Mexicali Valley and take appropriate actions. The Baja California state portion of the Travel Advisory for Mexico has been updated to read:
Mexicali Valley: U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley until further notice due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions. The boundaries of the restricted area are defined to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
Employees may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. They may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.
Actions to Take:
- Review the Travel Advisory for Mexico and the Country Information page. Remain vigilant during the daylight hours and avoid travel at night.
- Remain on main highways and avoid remote locations.
- Monitor the local news for updates, follow directions from local officials, and in case of emergency call 911.
- Keep your friends and loved ones up to date on your whereabouts – via phone, text, and social media – and let them know you are safe, when possible.
- If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to, or residing in Mexico, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive safety messages and other travel information.
Assistance:
- For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call (55) 8526 2561 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States.
- U.S. Consulate General Tijuana, Mexico
- Contact
- Website: U.S. Consulate General Tijuana
- State Department – Consular Affairs
- 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Follow U.S. Department of State Travel.gov on Facebook and Twitter.
- Follow the U.S. Consulate Tijuana on Facebook and Twitter.