Mexico could be a dangerous choice for Spring Break

ISU students travelling to Mexico for Spring Break have been urged to use extreme caution in light of recent violence near the U.S. border.

The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a Travel Alert Feb. 20 warning of conflict between drug cartels fighting over control of narcotics trafficking routes along the border.

The advisory is set to expire Aug. 20.

Compounding the situation, cartels have also engaged in battles against Mexican police and army units, according to the bureau. Some confrontations have involved automatic weapons and grenades.

During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area, read the alert, which can be accessed through the MyISU Portal.

The cities most affected in northern Mexico include Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez, according to the bureau.

Officials are most concerned with Ciudad Juarez, where Mexican authorities say 1,800 people have been killed since January 2008, according to the bureau. Also in 2008, there were more than 17,000 car thefts and 1,650 carjackings.

"Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons," the bureau reported. "In some cases assailants have worn full or partial police or military uniforms and have used vehicles that resemble police vehicles."

The State Department reports that over 100,000 U.S. teens and adults visit Mexico during Spring Break each year. Many of them will return home without incident.

Those who do run into legal trouble should contact the nearest U.S. consulate, the department said.

The department also recommends visitors frequently inform family members back home about their whereabouts.

"It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim," the alert read. "Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable."

The Mexican consulate in Indianapolis did not immediately return a request for comment.