Local Spanish-language media reports incorrectly
The residents and tourists in the community of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo were alarmed by a recent Spanish-language newspaper report and Facebook post that Canada had added the city to its Travel Warning List. This is incorrect and perhaps due to the language translation.
Travel Advisories from Canada
The Government of Canada updated its Travel Warning List on June 6, 2019, and then validated it again on July 22, 2019.
Canadians are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the following northern states due to high levels of violence, linked mainly to organized crime:
- Chihuahua
- Coahuila (except the city of Saltillo)
- Durango
- Nuevo León (except the city of Monterrey)
- Sinaloa (except the city of Mazatlán)
- Sonora (except the cities of Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos)
- Tamaulipas.
Citizens are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the cities that are excluded from the above.
For the same reasons, the Canadian Government also advises to avoid non-essential travel to the following Western states:
- Guerrero, including Acapulco but EXCLUDING the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco
- Michoacán, EXCLUDING the city of Morelia
- Colima, EXCLUDING the city of Manzanillo
Go to the Canadian government’s website to read and verify this information. https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico
Travel Advisories from the USA
In April 2019, the US State Department, perhaps influenced by the country’s current political climate and policies, classified the entire country of Mexico as a “Level 2: Exercise extreme caution due to crime and kidnapping.” The government also issued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” to ALL cities in the following states:
- Colima
- Guerrero (INCLUDING Acapulco, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, and Taxco)
- Michoacán
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
Germany also warned its citizens to exercise more precautions when traveling through Mexico during the political elections last year.
Obviously, these Travel Warnings can result in negative effects on communities – the loss of jobs, cultural and educational exchange programs, tourism events, etc. It is important to correct any misinformation.
References:
Informativo de la Costa : ACTIVA ESTADOS UNIDOS, ALEMANIA Y CANADA ALERTA DE VIAJE A IXTAPA ZIHUATANEJO
The Government of Canada Travel Advisories for Mexico
The United States Bureau of Consular Affairs – Travel Advisory Notices for Mexico
Related Articles:
