Posted on May 19, 2008

US Warns Tourists of ‘Small-Unit Combat’ at Mexico Border

Penny Starr, Cyber News Service, May 16, 2008

The U.S. State Department has issued an alert, warning travelers that the “equivalent to military small-unit combat” is taking place across the southern U.S. border in Mexico and that Americans are being kidnapped and murdered there.

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The State Department particularly urged that Americans be wary when traveling in that part of Mexico closest to the United States. “U.S. citizens are urged to be especially alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region,” said the alert.

Murder and kidnapping of Americans has become routine in Tijuana, which sits just across the border from San Diego, California, according to the State Department, and sometimes heavily armed attackers wear the uniforms of the Mexican police or military.

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The alert also warns Americans to avoid areas where drugs and prostitution are evident and to “refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money and other valuable items.”

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