State Department points up to date Mexico journey advisory: What to know

Mexico rejects U.S. army plan towards cartels

U.S. officers stated Trump’s administration can use the army to go after Latin American drug gangs which have been designated as world terrorist organizations and has quietly ordered the Pentagon to organize choices, based on a report from Reuters. National safety analyst Hal Kempfer breaks this all down with LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall.

Travelers heading to Mexico are urged to “exercise increased caution” after the U.S. State Department up to date its journey advisory for our North American neighbor. 

The Level 2 advisory was issued to warn vacationers about an elevated danger of terrorism, crime and kidnapping or hostage-taking, based on the State Department’s website. 

Mexico journey dangers 

What they’re saying:

“Many violent crimes take place in Mexico,” the State Department says. “They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico.”

Tourists benefit from the seaside at a resort in Los Cabos, Baja California, Mexico on July 15, 2025. (Photo by ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP by way of Getty Images)

“The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico. U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas. Due to security risks, U.S. citizens should follow the same restrictions as U.S. government employees while traveling.”

The State Department warns that international locations with a terrorism danger indicator may very well be topic to terrorist assaults with little to no warning on the following locations: 

• Tourist places
• Transportation facilities like airports and practice stations
• Markets and procuring malls
• Local authorities services
• Hotels, golf equipment, and eating places
• Places of worship and academic establishments
• Parks
• Major sporting and cultural occasions

Mexico Level 2 journey advisory

Local perspective:

Mexico’s journey advisory now not features a stage for the nation as an entire. Instead, every state receives its personal advisory. Most states in Mexico are at present below a Level 2, or “exercised increased caution,” journey advisory, the State Department says. However, eight states in Mexico are below Level 3 advisories, urging individuals to rethink journey to the states of Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora. Two states – Campeche and Yucatan – are below Level 1, or “exercise normal precautions” advisories. 

RELATED: Mexico to extradite 26 high cartel leaders to US in Trump administration deal

The northern half of Mexico is usually a higher-threat space, “primarily due to organized criminal conflicts and competition for drug trafficking routes to the U.S.,” the Overseas Security Advisory Council warns. 

Timeline: The advisory was up to date Aug. 12 to designate stage 2 warnings and add “terrorism” to the danger indicator, based on the State Department. 

Crime in Mexico

Dig deeper:

According to a report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council, Mexico “suffers from high rates of crime, exacerbated by its low rate of criminal convictions.” 

“Most crime in Mexico goes unreported or simply cannot be accurately captured due to large number of individuals who have ‘disappeared,’” OSAC warns. 

“Although there is no evidence of criminals specifically targeting foreign or U.S. businesses and personnel, criminals will target victims based on the appearance of affluence, vulnerability, or lack of awareness,” the report continues. “Armed robbery, kidnapping, car theft, credit card fraud, and various forms of residential/street crime are daily concerns. Criminals can easily resell jewelry (including expensive watches) and cellular phones in illegal markets. Although Mexico has strict gun-control laws, criminals often carry handguns, knives, and increasingly high-caliber weapons.”

By the numbers:

According to preliminary information from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security, the nationwide murder price in Mexico elevated marginally from 23.29 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2023 to 23.35 in 2024. That’s in comparison with the U.S. nationwide murder price of 6.8 per 100,000 residents, based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Mexico journey security suggestions

What you are able to do:

Before you journey to Mexico, the State Department urges Americans to evaluation its International Travel Checklist, with steps on learn how to be a part of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and knowledge on buying journey insurance coverage. 

“If you encounter a road checkpoint, you should comply,” the State Department says. “Fleeing or ignoring instructions can lead to you being hurt or killed.”

READ MORE: Americans planning Mexico holidays face new security considerations as US raises journey advisory

OSAC additionally urges vacationers in Mexico to “be careful of cash transactions on the street.”

“A hurried transaction for merchandise often leaves the customer with shoddy or counterfeit goods, out-of-circulation valueless currency, or incorrect change,” OSAC says. “Some vendors will accept U.S. dollars, but at their own exchange rate.” 

“The best ways to reduce the risk is to practice good personal security habits, especially maintaining a high-level of situational awareness and promptly departing from potentially dangerous situations.”