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Spring Break Warning

March 8, 2012 by · Comments Off on Spring Break Warning 

Spring Break Warning, The state of Texas warned residents for the third consecutive year not to travel to Mexico during the upcoming university spring break season, saying drug cartel violence and other criminal activity are a safety threat even in resort areas.

The announcement is a major blow for Mexico’s economy. Tourism is Mexico’s second-largest industry. About 60 percent of Mexico’s visitors are American, and about one third of them are either Texans or travelelrs who pass through Texas.

The advisory comes despite pleas from top Mexican officials to limit the travel warnings to specific areas where the threat of violence is greatest.

Mexican officials said that popular tourist areas such as Cancun and Cabo San Lucas are safe for American travellers.

Drug violence has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives in Mexico since 2006.

“The Mexican government has made great strides battling the cartels, and we commend their continued commitment to making Mexico a safer place to live and visit,” Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said. “However, drug cartel violence and other criminal activity represent a significant safety threat, even in some resort areas.”

The number of Americans murdered in Mexico jumped to 120 last year from 35 in 2007, McCraw said.

“Many crimes against Americans in Mexico go unpunished,” he said.

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