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Mexico 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Mérida

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Mexico 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Mérida Mexico 2019 Crime & Safety Report: Mérida This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate General in Mérida, Mexico. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Mexico at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Consulate General in Mérida does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Please review OSAC’s Mexico-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information. The U.S. Consulate General in Mérida has responsibilities for the three Mexican states on the Yucatán Peninsula: Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. Based on travel industry and U.S. Department of State statistics, more than eight million Americans visited, or resided in this region in 2018. The State of Quintana Roo is home to the tourist destinations of Cancún, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the coastal area referred to as the Riviera Maya. Yucatán state is home to the cities of Mérida and Progreso, and Campeche’s popular destinations for business and tourism include the City of Campeche and Ciudad del Carmen. Crime Threats There is moderate risk from crime in Mérida. According to Government of Mexico statistics, Yucatán and Campeche are among the safest states in Mexico. However, homicides increased to record levels in Quintana Roo in 2018. Most of the homicides in Quintana Roo appeared to be targeted assassinations linked to organized crime; however, turf battles between criminal groups resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents injuring or killing bystanders have occurred. Crime not directly attributed to criminal groups varies in type and frequency throughout the peninsula, but is generally low. While there is no evidence indicating that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, criminals usually choose victims based on perceived wealth, vulnerability, and inattentiveness. Exercise increased caution throughout the peninsula. Should you find yourself involved in an incident, do not escalate the situation. 1 Reduce their chances of being the victim of a crime at tourist destinations by traveling with a trusted individual and being cognizant of alcohol consumption. Do not accept drinks from strangers, and always watch your drink. There have been reports of individuals falling ill or blacking out after consuming unregulated alcohol. The Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (COFEPRIS) is responsible for inspecting hotels, restaurants, or other establishments for health violations, including reports of unregulated alcohol. Contact COFEPRIS for more information, or to file a report. Additionally, if you feel you have been the victim of unregulated alcohol or another serious health violation, notify the American Citizen Services unit at the Consulate General in Mérida or one of the Consular Agencies listed at the end of this report. Many vehicular accidents and incidents of crime affecting U.S. citizens involve the excess consumption of alcohol or individuals separated from their traveling companions. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. 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. Many shops and vendors readily accept U.S. dollars at their own exchange rate. Credit card security remains a concern, especially in the tourist areas of Quintana Roo. There have been reports of criminal use of credit cards. Recent reports suggest that in addition to technical gathering, such as ATM skimmers, criminals may also acquire card data manually when cards are handed to or momentarily left with employees of businesses. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud. Cybersecurity Issues Social engineering of data for scams, kidnapping, and extortion schemes is a cybersecurity issue in the region. Police indicate that in most kidnapping and extortion cases, the victims were targets because of the large amount of personal information available on social media accounts. Mexican citizens are usually the targets of this type of cybercrime, but tourists are not immune to criminal exploitation based on their social media activities. Other Areas of Concern The U.S. Department of State updates its travel policy and the travel advisory for Mexico periodically in response to the evolving security situation throughout the country and individual consular districts. In southern Quintana Roo, when traveling south of Felipe Carrillo Puerto or east of Jose Maria Morelos, serious communication challenges exist. Cellular and Internet service are virtually non- existent. For Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and Campeche, police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of the state capitals, population centers, and tourist areas. 2 Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Driving requires vigilance and a defensive approach. Road conditions in the Yucatán peninsula are different from those encountered in the U.S. Local drivers are not uniformly well experienced, and often have cars that are in poor condition or disrepair. Be alert for vehicles moving more slowly than the rest of traffic, and for vehicles speeding through traffic signals at the last minute. Exercised extra care when passing a vehicle or being passed. Drivers should exercise extreme caution outside of major cities at night due to poor road conditions. Prepare for vehicles not using lighting at night; few, if any, road markings; poor lighting; and the presence of scooters, bicycles, pedestrians, and/or animals on the roads. Most accidents involve excess speed and/or alcohol. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. When driving Cancún-Mérida or Playa del Carmen-Mérida, use the toll roads; they are better maintained, lighted, and have less frequent access points, intersections, and generally lighter traffic. Check with your U.S. auto insurance provider regarding international coverage. Driving requires local liability insurance, which, in some cases, you must purchase separately from a Mexican insurance provider or through a rental car company. Public Transportation Conditions Local commercial and municipal buses and taxis are readily available in most cities. Drivers can be untrained and do not always follow the rules of the road. Vehicles may be poorly maintained or in disrepair. Accidents are common. First-class commercial bus service between major cities and tourist areas exists. For arrivals to the Cancún airport for tourist destinations in Quintana Roo, consider pre-booked private transfer services. Whenever possible, use taxis arranged by hotel staff or located at designated stands, and avoid hailing taxis on the street. Ridesharing services are options as well, but not all platforms operate in all areas. For more information on alternatives to conventional transportation options, please review OSAC’s Report Safety and Security in the Share Economy. Terrorism Threat There is minimal risk from terrorism in Mérida. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Civil Unrest There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Mérida. While demonstrations occasionally occur, they generally remain peaceful, focus on domestic Mexican policy issues, and do not rise to a level of civil unrest. Taxi strikes and road blockades by taxi drivers have occurred in Quintana Roo in protest of ridesharing platforms. The Quintana Roo government has wavered on permitting these services; their long-term legality and availability is not yet determined. 3 Religious/Ethnic Violence Some indigenous Mayan communities have ongoing disputes and legal cases involving land, water, and other issues, but they rarely involve violence. Post-specific Concerns Environmental Hazards During the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1-November 30), weather emergencies may affect the Yucatán Peninsula. Quintana Roo tends to suffer the greatest effects from Atlantic hurricanes; however, storms have caused flooding and disruption of utility services throughout the peninsula. Minor tropical storms can develop into hurricanes very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Travelers in affected regions have had to delay their departure due to infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability. Travelers should apprise family and friends of their whereabouts and keep in close contact with their tour operator, hotel staff, business contacts, and/or local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency. Avoid driving during and after rainstorms; inadequate drainage creates street flooding and large, submerged potholes. Heavy rains may leave sections of roads washed out completely. Critical Infrastructure Portions of all three states are very rural and lack significant infrastructure and adequate medical facilities. Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche is
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