Threats of Violence Against U.S. Government Interests in Chihuahua.

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens issued by consulate in Mexico.

Courtesy: floydreports.com

(CIUDAD JUAREZ) - The U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez is issuing this Emergency Message for U.S. citizens in the state of Chihuahua (“Emergency Messages” were formerly known as “Warden Messages”). The Consulate has distributed the following message to our staff:

Mexican authorities have captured key members of the cartels active in Juarez. These successes also bring with them the potential for an increase in violence. The cartels may seek to retaliate and increase their attacks against rival cartel members, Mexican law enforcement and/or the public in general.

Information has come to light that suggests a cartel may be targeting the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez or U.S. Ports of Entry. In the past, cartels have been willing to utilize car bombs in attacks. We ask American citizens to remain vigilant.

If the Consulate should receive any credible threat information that provides a specific time and place, that information will be disseminated immediately.

U.S. citizen victims of crime or their families are urged to contact the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate for advice or assistance.  During regular work hours, the American Citizens Services unit of the Consulate can be reached at (656) 227-3411, by fax at (656) 227-3264 or by email at cdjamericancitizens@state.gov.  In the event of an after-hours serious emergency, the duty officer may be reached at (656) 327-7877.

Americans residing or traveling in Chihuahua are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and to update their contact information online or at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez.  Enrollment in STEP may be done well in advance of travel. 

For more information on STEP or to enroll, please visit the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website:  https://travelregistration.state.gov.  We also encourage you to download our free iPhone App, Smart Traveler.  The app allows you to enroll in STEP and to review information on countries around the world. 

The U.S. Consulate’s website is http://ciudadjuarez.usconsulate.gov.   You can also like us on Facebook to receive emergency messages and routine updates.  Our pages are U.S. Consulate Juarez- American Citizen Services and Communidad Fronteriza.  U.S. citizens should also consult the Country Specific Information for Mexico and the Travel Alert for Mexico at the Department’s website: http://travel.state.gov.  The same information is available in the iPhone Application.