Mexico City, March 14, 2022 – The U.S. Embassy is closely monitoring events in Nuevo Laredo, following last night’s arrest of a wanted cartel figure.
The safety and security of U.S. citizens and our employees is the top priority for the Department of State. The current situation in Nuevo Laredo underscores the importance of working with the Government of Mexico under the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities to disrupt criminal organizations. We remain committed to our shared security and to making communities in both countries safer.
We are taking measures to protect the safety and security of our employees. Our consulate is closed to the public for consular services until further notice. All appointments scheduled for tomorrow will be rescheduled.
I have raised our grave concerns about these incidents and the safety and security of our employees directly with the government of Mexico, which is coordinating closely with us to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the security of our staff. We will continue to monitor the situation.
The Consulate has issued several Security Alerts to inform U.S. citizens that U.S. government employees have been instructed to avoid the area and shelter in place until further notice. U.S. citizens should avoid the affected areas near the Consulate and should notify their loved ones of their well-being. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (step.state.gov) to receive important emergency information, and follow us on Twitter (@USAConNVL) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/consuladonuevolaredo) for updates.
The State Department’s Travel Alert rates Tamaulipas as Level 4: do not travel due to crime and kidnapping, noting that organized criminal activity – including gun battles, murders, armed robberies, carjackings, kidnappings, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assaults – is common.