Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday . At this moment I am meeting with the Security Table. Although the problem of organized crime dominates public debate, the study noted that a large part of the violence was perpetrated by individuals, and within families or communities. We are open; everything is normal, said a woman answering the phone at La Espadaa, a popular restaurant in Tijuana. Mexico City due to crime. Royal Caribbean has been silent about this danger. The mayor's comment about Tijuana remaining open was an apparent reference to the border city of Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, where some classes and public events were cancelled after similar violence on Thursday. | OTRA NOCHE DE TERROR EN MXICO: Tecate, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tijuana y Mexicali sufrieron ataques de hombres armados que quemaron unidades del transporte pblico y vehculos particulares. San Miguel de Allende. Many buses had stopped running, leaving workers stranded. It was the third time this week Mexican cities have seen widespread arson and shootings by drug cartels. Go on an ATV Adventure. One person was reportedly injured in the violence but no one was killed, according to government officials and news reports. Officials said the rampage in Ciudad Jurez came in retaliation for a prison riot there, while the chaos in Jalisco and Guanajuato was unleashed by leaders of the Jalisco cartel angry about plans to arrest them. In order to maximize airflow, weve maximized stagnant air as a major risk factor. The best way to explore Mexico's rugged terrain is on an ATV. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Caballero issued a public appeal to "organized crime," the term used in Mexico for drug cartels, to stop the growing trend of targeting innocent civilians. The assailants threatened her and took 500 pesos in cash. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP There are a few things to be aware of, however. Mexico The U.S. Consulate General Tijuana is instructing American government employees to shelter-in-place until further notice after . The Department of State recorded 22 homicides among Americans in Baja California in 2021, according to data on its website. Reporter with long experience in various news media outlets in Mexico and the United States. There is no reason to drive at night in Mexico, but you should be cautious. Your Email David Shirk, a University of San Diego professor who follows organized crime in Mexico, said these sorts of events underscore the notion that, in many ways, organized crime calls the shots when it comes to security in Baja California. Travelers to the region are recommended to stay on main highways and avoid remote locations. Customers in CESPE pay their water bill at the "CESPE-matico" pay-as-you go machines in Ensenada, Mexico on Friday, July 1, 2022. Ensenada is part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network since 2015. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. The authorities are not able to establish order, and theyre not able to hold people to account, Shirk said. Royal Caribbean also canceled scheduled stops in Ensenada, but it has yet to resume operations in this port. To enter Tijuana, California, you must have temporary Mexico auto insurance. Festival goers probably dont know whats happening. For travelers, Ensenada is very safe for property and body violence. Taxis arent going into Tijuana this is going to be chaos., About 12 hours later, she reported that she was driving through Tijuana to return to San Diego. As a result of recent events, the area is now at level three, posing serious safety and security risks. Getting to the Ready Lanes, or any other of the entry lanes, is a difficult task. San Cristbal de las Casas. AFP via Getty Images Baja California struggled Sunday to return to normality after cartel violence shut down much of the region Friday. Im on a cruise to Ensenada for work and they arent letting us off the boat now.. On Tuesday, drug cartel gunmen burned vehicles and businesses in the western states of Jalisco and Guanajuato in response to an attempt to arrest a high-ranking cartel leader of the Jalisco cartel. The US State Department does not provide any official travel warnings or restrictions for Ensenada, only for other parts of Mexico 1,400 miles away. So theyre not going to generate violence in tourist areas because they know perfectly that it would be counterproductive to their own businesses.. The Los Angeles Times reported that messages also began circulating on social media, purportedly from the Jalisco New Generation cartel, declaring a curfew in Tijuana (about 100 kilometers of Ensenada) and warning residents to go home or risk being attacked. The Times also reported that hundreds of military troops and special forces had arrived in Tijuana to help restore order and reinforce security. The U.S. Consulate alert recommended American travelers to do the following while visiting Tijuana and Rosarito: Clark Alfaro said both cartel members and innocent citizens caught in the crossfire can be victims of cartel violence. Ensenada, located on the beautiful Baja California Peninsula, is a regular port of call for luxurious cruise ships, which means a constant influx of tourists.It is a . Top 3 Ensenada Tours. We were greeted by a border agent about an hour after leaving that moment. Many people in Ensenada are now able to access the vaccine. Id like to include some local Baja forums on this site, but Im not sure if I can. Due to its positioning, it can be somewhat difficult to reach Tijuana overland from the other major Mexican cities, with Mexico City for example being a sizeable 2760km away.. Jaqueline Aguilar, 34, a transgender sex worker in Ensenada, about two hours south of Tijuana, told CNN over the phone that she returned to work because she had to make ends meet. Because of Semana Santa, the beaches were closed for three weeks, but they were reopened shortly after I returned. . In the same way, it has been reported that they have begun to evacuate movie theaters and bars, to avoid exposing the population to any type of incident. Carnival Cruise Lines said that after communicating with officials and evaluating the situation over the past several days, it has resumed normal operations in Ensenada, Mexico. It was the first time Mexico hadn't . It wasn't just a clash between two groups, but it got to the point where they began to shoot civilians, innocent people. Ensenada is a coastal city in Mexico, located on Baja California Peninsula. But Cortez Lara said that would mean some farmers would have to take . I blogged about this issue here: Ensenada Travel Safety 2019 2 Mexico captures an infamous drug lord who killed a DEA agent. Disney Wonder and 32 additional tourist cruise ships will arrive in Road to Big Bear in California has been closed to tourists. The citys proximity to the border makes it a convenient destination for those looking to experience Mexican culture without having to travel too far from home. inewsource is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. U.S. Department of State officials also did not answer questions about how long the security alert would be in effect, but said the alerts are issued as needed to notify U.S. citizens of specific events and changes happening locally, in real time., Apart from the security alert, the U.S. Department of State ranks Baja California at a Level 3 for travel advisories, meaning Americans should reconsider travel to the state due to crime, kidnapping and a high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana., The Department of State recommended travelers stay on main highways and avoid remote locations.. Just be sure to take precautions and stay safe while youre in the city. Every year, approximately 18 million passengers board Greyhound buses, which travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion kilometers) on their fleet of approximately 1700 vehicles. Tension in the courtroom as former TV anchor Sandra Maas takes witness stand for second day, New winter storm hits San Diego | Here's a look at the timeline of the snow and rain, Rain and wind persist through Wednesday before drier weather prevails, Cross-border 'drug tourism' may be fueling HIV spike in Tijuana, UCSD reports, Three suspects arrested in Tijuana journalist's murder. While there is still some crime in the city, it is not as prevalent as it once was. Through social networks, users reported that, in addition to burning vehicles, armed civilians have organized blockades of access to cities and have paralyzed public transport activity. Im very happy they confirmed the rest of their scheduled arrivals and they trust in the actions weve implemented, Mayor Ayala Robles said. There are planned communities that are 90% Expats. Ensenada is a city known for celebration, with very friendly . Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2022. Pacific coast city of Ensenada, about 104 kilometers (64 miles . She is a graduate of UC Berkeley. At the restaurant Casa Tijuana Project, a person answering the phone seemed confused by questions about mayhem. Updated: Jan 5, 2022 . Your Question Crime Comparison Between Ensenada and Mar del Plata . The year 2022 has been the deadliest for media reporters in Mexico, with 15 killed. We wrote numerous articles over a decade ago about the danger of drug-related violence and crime in certain Mexican ports of call. There has been a significant increase in crime and kidnapping, according to officials. ALERT ISSUED: FIRES, STREET BLOCKADES, CARTEL ACTIVITY IN TIJUANA, MEXICALI, ROSARITO, ENSENADA, USD-Mexico Peso Exchange rate today March 1st, 2023. The country may be the top destination for U.S. travelers, but violent crime is soaring, leaving travelers questioning whether Mexico is safe to visit. Disembarking the ship, we went along with the "welcoming committee" (see pics) with no intention to buy touristy pics, lol. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. It also warned that the U.S. government won't be able to help Americans if they become victims of crime while traveling there. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake at 4:21 a.m., just offshore from the town of El Sauzal north of Ensenada. Zihuatanejo. Cruise ship stops in Ensenada had resumed recently following the COVID-19 pandemic and power struggles over control of the port of Ensenada brought on by organized crime, something that has plagued many other ports throughout Mexico. Restrictions in Mexico appear to have been lifted, including the entry of a health checkpoint into the city. Is the Radiance docking today in Ensenada? one person asked on Twitter. Victor Clark Alfaro, a lecturer in Latin American Studies at San Diego State University, said most cartel violence happens outside of the bubble of tourist areas for distinct reasons. All will be checked now! 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Cancun, Mexico Update: 1/15/22 Three Canadian visitors have been shot by a lone gunman in their hotel in the Mexican resort town of Playa del Carmen - in an attack security officials are calling targeted and alleging involved individuals with criminal records. According to the Border Report, the mayor of Ensenada, Mexico issued a public announcement that cruise ships are coming back after pulling out over security concerns for passengers and employees. The purpose of our study is to rescue our capacity to be moved by the accumulation of horrors.. I have been living in Southern California for ten years, and I havent visited Baja since last year. State officials said the assailants hijacked and burned at least two dozen vehicles and put up roadblocks around the state Friday evening. Drug cartels also set fire to dozens of shops, buses and cars and blockaded major roadways in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato. An outbreak of violence in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, and in the western states of Jalisco and Guanajuato have stunned even Mexicans accustomed to violence. Official information about COVID cases in Baja California can be found here. So far it is only known that the attackers were masked and no group has claimed responsibility for the violent operation, although social networks are beginning to link it to similar events that occurred in the western state of Jalisco. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Troops patrol Tijuana as city emerges from cartel-fueled night of terror, Murders at the border and attacks in Jalisco and Guanajuato stun Mexico, Prosecution presents closing arguments in Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Intel agencies say theres no sign adversaries were behind Havana syndrome, Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws. Wendy Fry has covered Tijuana, greater Baja California and border issues at The San Diego Union-Tribune. The cheapest ways to get there are by car, bus, or tram. Earlier in the week, Mexican police found the couple's blue Toyota Land Cruiser in the port city of Ensenada north of where the couple was staying. In Ensenada, there have only been five confirmed cases as of April 16. Seniors in Baja California receive comprehensive aid thanks to Marina del Pilar strengthens Baja Californias relation with the Baja Californian pride! Due to contamination, Playa Hermosa Beach is closed for water activities. Baja California thus joins the wave of violence that began this week in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato in response to a military operation against leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and which spread Thursday night to the borderCiudad Jurez, which lived hours of terror in which at least 11 people died. Please leave this field empty. Durango. In the first half of 2022, the study found that the number of reports of torture had doubled to 856, while those of women killed using extreme cruelty rose 87% to 410. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Media reports of high-impact violence by criminal groups against authorities or large crowds meanwhile rose 756%, from 25 to 214. There are security concerns associated with Baja, particularly when it comes to the areas closest to the U.S. border. An average of 17 atrocities were reported in news outlets in Mexico each day during the first six months of 2022, up 18% from the same period last year, according to a new study. There are also significantly more firearm murders . There are a few pointers that I always use when traveling to Mexico: avoid driving at night. Last Friday, the Mexican drug cartel sent a warning promising mayhem on the streets throughout the weekend unless some of its gang members were released from prison. Furthermore, avoid driving after dark, keep an eye on cows and horses on the road, and fill up your gas tank as needed. 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