October 28 - Warden Message: Threat of Cartel Violence on October 28
Warden Message
October 28 - Warden Message: Threat of Cartel Violence on October 28
This
Warden Message is being issued to inform American citizens traveling to or
residing in the Mexican state of Chihuahua that the US Consulate General in
Ciudad Juarez received information on October 28, 2009 that drug cartels
operating in the city of Ciudad Juarez may target random vehicles in drive by
shootings or may call in bomb threats in an effort to distract law enforcement
officials. The US government recommends exercising cautioning when driving
through the city today. The threat of random targeting of vehicles is not
expected to continue past today.
There
are also ongoing law enforcement operations against the cartels in the area
near Avenida Gomez Morin and Puente Rotario also known as Puente al Reves.
US Consulate employees have been advised to avoid the area until operations are
complete later today.
U.S. citizen victims of crime or their families are urged to
contact the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate for advice or
assistance. During regular work hours, the American Citizens Services
unit of the Consulate can be reached at (656) 227-3411, by fax at (656)
227-3264 or by email at cdjamericancitizens@state.gov. After hours, in
the event of an emergency only, the duty officer may be reached at (656)
327-7877.
Americans residing
or traveling in Chihuahua are encouraged to register and update their contact
information at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez. Registration
may be done online and can be done in advance of travel. Information on
registering may be found at the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website:
https://travelregistration.state.gov
U.S. citizens should also consult the Country Specific Information for Mexico
and the Travel Alert for Mexico at the Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov.