From AlertsUSA
State Dept. Issues New Travel Advisory for Mexico “Violent Crime is Widespread”
July 21, 2018
On July 17, the following related Flash SMS message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices:
7/17 – US Dept of State issues updated travel advisory for Mexico. “Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.” See email.
What You Need To Know
On Tuesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of the State Department’s release of a new travel advisory for Mexico warning that “violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread.” According to the the advisory, the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico as U.S. government employees are prohibited from travel to these areas.
Additionally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark in many areas of Mexico. U.S. government employees are also not permitted to drive from the US-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico with the exception of daytime travel on Highway 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo.
AlertsUSA cautions readers that if you, a family member, or colleague are planning a trip to Mexico, regardless of the destination or duration of travel, it is extremely important that you;
1.) Read the State Department’s country information page.
2.) Read this most recent Mexico Travel Advisory.
3.) Follow the State Department’s recommendations, including:
Do not travel to:
- Colima state due to crime.
- Guerrero state due to crime.
- Michoacán state due to crime.
- Sinaloa state due to crime.
- Tamaulipas state due to crime.
- For the rest of Mexico:
- Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving at night.
- Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
LEFT UNSAID IN OFFICIAL USGOV GUIDANCE
While the majority of Mexican citizens are warm and gracious towards foreign visitors, readers are cautioned that there is growing anti-American sentiment in Mexico. Given the tightening of border security (including deployment of National Guard troops, the progressive building of barriers to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and cross-border criminal activity, and increasing interior enforcement and deportations), dislike of Americans is growing south of the border and should be anticipated by travelers.
A new AlertsUSA partner, SecurelyTravel.com, has written an excellent piece on this destination, entitled: How to Manage Your Mexico Vacation and Not Get Shot. It is well worth the read.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.
OTHER SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE7/20 – US & EU synagogues, Jewish community ctrs & schools on heightened alert flwg launch of large air/ground offensive on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Vigilance urged.
7/20 – State Dept. urging Americans in Germany to monitor local media for updates on Lubeck attack. If in the area, update loved ones of your status.
7/20 – 14 injured in knife slashing attack on bus in northern German city of Lubeck. Multiple rpts of flames & smoke from attacker’s backpack. AlertsUSA monitoring..
7/16 – Trump – Putin joint press conference in Helsinki, Finland starting shortly. Check national media or watch via live link: https://youtu.be/sCsqp6_SERA
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FBI Liaison Information Report on Vehicle-Ramming Risks at High Pedestrian Traffic & Tourist Locations.
July 21, 2018
On July 18, the following related Flash SMS message
was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices:7/18 – FBI issues Liaison Information Report on vehicle-ramming risks at high pedestrian traffic & tourist locations. Vigilance urged. See your email for rpt download.
What You Need To Know
On Wednesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of the release of a new FBI Liaison Information Report on vehicle-ramming risks at high pedestrian traffic & tourist locations. This tactic requires minimal skill and resources and on numerous occasions, these attacks have been carried out using rental or stolen vehicles against high density and tourist settings.
The FBI urges encourages private sector partners to inform their personnel to remain vigilant during high tourist seasons or while attending large-scale events. Tourism and vehicle rental staffs should report any suspicious activity to your security personnel, first responders, and/or law enforcement officials.
Pre-attack behaviors and indicators (observed in context and not individually) to be alert for include individuals who:
- Rent vehicles on more than one occasion who may provide different names on the rental paperwork;
- Or who provide incomplete information on paperwork;
- Or who always use cash or credit cards bearing another individuals’ name in transactions;
- Or who are casing and photographing areas of high pedestrian traffic or tourist areas; and
- Or vehicles that parked or are driven slowly for excessive hours.
Download the full FBI Liaison Information Report here. (PDF, 304 KB)
Commentary and Analysis
July 21, 2018
FBI: Chinese Espionage ‘Most Significant Threat We Face as a Country’
FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday that investigations of Chinese espionage are open in all 50 states. “I think China, from a counterintelligence perspective, in many ways, represents the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country. It is economic espionage, as well as traditional espionage, it is nontraditional collectors, as well as traditional intelligence operatives, it’s human sources, as well as cyber means.” Read More Here
Iran’s Dire Straits
In early July, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threatened to prevent other countries from exporting oil if U.S. sanctions prevented Iran from selling its oil. Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders quickly echoed the sentiment, which was followed by U.S. declarations that America would keep oil flowing through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Such threats are nothing new. Since the 1980s Iran has said that if it could not export oil, then none of the Persian Gulf countries could do so. Except for the so-called “tanker war” during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, such threats have been mere political posturing. But, could this change? Read More Here.
The U.S. Military’s Ships, Tanks, Aircraft and Drones Are Getting AI
The Pentagon is making a massive push to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence to ships, tanks, aircraft, drones, weapons and large networks as part of a sweeping strategy to more quickly harness and integrate the latest innovations. Read More Here
Europe’s Smack to Google May Only Be the Beginning
This week the European Commission’s issued record-breaking fines for Google for anticompetitive practices related to Android, the company’s mobile operating system. But a big question remains: What does the decision mean for Google and other big tech companies? This might be the tip of the iceberg for global technology regulation, for which Europe has been doing the work the United States can’t, or won’t, pursue. Read More Here
World News Roundup
July 21, 2018
Other Developments We Are Following
AMERICAS
Mexico interferes in our elections more successfully than Russia
F-15 Eagle: The Air Force’s Old Fighter No Nation Wants to Fight
U.S. Has Already Sold More Weapons This Year Than All 2017
Inside America’s Aging Nuclear Missile Submarines
Pentagon confirms Boeing will get $3.9 billion for new Air Force One jets
Behind closed doors, Gitmo secret court talks about CIA, torture, rights.
If Your Weapons Aren’t Cyber-Hardened, Expect to Lose Pentagon Contracts
US military invasion of Venezuela ‘possible’ – Russian Ambassador in Caracas
Suspected Russian agent Maria Butina to be jailed until trial
Texas to pass Iraq and Iran as world’s No. 3 oil powerhouse
Can Mexico’s president-elect end culture of corruption?
Trump says Putin summit could prove long-term ‘success’EUROPE
Female terrorist feared alive and ‘planning suicide attacks on Med beaches’
France releasing hundreds of radicalized inmates
Scores of ISIS fighters ‘could travel to Spain’ after fighting in Syria
Air Force Slowly Building Up in Eastern Europe: USAFE Commander
UK military eyes on-demand space launch from new spaceport
USS Harry S. Truman Now Operating in Cold War Era Submarine Hot Spot
Danish Official Rings Alarm as Half of Young Men Unfit for Military Service
Man guilty of plot to behead Theresa May in Isis-inspired attack
Ecuador to hand over Assange to UK ‘in coming weeks or days’
Russian ambassador affirms no ‘secret deals’ struck between Putin &Trump
Netherlands signs deal for unarmed MQ-9 Reaper drones
Hungary joins US in refusing UN’s safe global migration compact
Why is the majority of French military helos ‘immobilized’?
Migrant crisis: Italy and NGO in row over migrant deaths
Romania and Hungary clash over Black Sea gas distribution
Trump’s defense chief open to first talks with Russian counterpart
Trump blasts Montenegro, questions NATO mutual defense
Spanish Navy Constructing New Submarines Too Big For Their PensMIDDLE EAST / Africa
Jihadists are trying to take over the Sahel
Iran Says Trump Sought Meeting With President 8 Times at U.N.
Iran nuclear chief says uranium stockpile reaches 950 tons
Iran opens new centrifuge rotor factory: nuclear chief
Under Assad’s grip, uneasy co-existence with former rebels
Erdoğan reforms Turkish military radically
Saudi Arabia intercepts Yemen rebel missile
Hamas defiant after Israeli threats over burning kites
Turkey keeps American pastor in jail, defying US pressure
Libya migrant centres near breaking point after spike in arrivals
Ethiopia makes first commercial flight to Eritrea in 20 yearsASIA
China to begin large-scale military exercise ‘tailored for Taiwan separatists
China’s Special Forces Units Are Getting Ready for War
Taiwan puts 2nd squad of Apache attack helicopters on duty as Beijing surges
ISIS vs. Taliban: Dozens Killed as Battle for Afghanistan Continues
North Korea: We Asked 9 of the World’s Leading Experts What Happens Next
Israel passes law to ban groups critical of state, military from schools
Trump now says no ‘time limit’ to denuclearize NKorea
Hong Kong: Pro-independence party faces possible ban
Devastation and Denial: Cambodia and the Academic Left
Report: Pompeo asked North Korean regime about nuclear activities
Homeland Security
Since 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has used the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin to highlight the continuing terror threat to the U.S. Homeland.
CURRENTLY ACTIVE NTAS BULLETIN
PDF (1 pg, 186 KB)
Web Version
Travel Security
The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.
Active USGOV Travel Notices
Active USGOV Travel Advisories
Other USGOV Travel Resources
Smart Traveler Enrollment Prog (STEP)
Travelers with Special Considerations
Faith-Based Travel Information
Information for Women Travelers
Driving and Road Safety Abroad
Safe Travels During Storm Season
The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.
Mariners and U.S. citizens considering maritime travel should also review information at the websites of the National Geospatial Agency, the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Portal, and the U.S. Coast Guard for information related to maritime and port security globally.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.
Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance
Australia Dept. of Foreign Affairs
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.
Via: threatjournal
- Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving at night.
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