New policy directive outlines restricted travel to Mexico

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  A recent increase in violence in Mexico has contributed to a new policy from Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, 12th Air Force commander, outlining guidance for military members traveling to Mexico, Feb. 9.

According to the new travel policy for all 12 AF personnel, all active-duty military members, activated reservists and national guardsmen traveling to Mexico must complete a Mexico Foreign Travel Notification Statement before their scheduled departure. Group commanders, or equivalent, must also approve servicemembers travel to Mexico before setting out.

Areas off limits to military for travel include: Matamoros, Piedras Negras, Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo and Tijuana. Areas considered dangerous for travel, but not off limits include: Nogales, Ciudad Acuna, Las Palmas, and Cancún.

"The decision to implement these requirements for military members was influenced primarily by the Department of State reports of a sharp increase in violent crimes, drug trafficking, civil unrest and weakening law enforcement in Mexico during 2008, particularly near border towns," said Douglas Frey, 28th Bomb Wing Antiterrorism officer.
The Overseas Security Advisory Council confirms these crimes in a statement released Feb. 20. The statement reported that in Ciudad Juárez alone, there were at least 1,600 murders in and around the city in 2008.

In addition to this, Mexican drug cartels have been battling for control of regional drug trafficking routes and causing widespread disruption in the everyday functions of the city, state, and federal government agencies. These disruptions peaked Feb. 17. When began violent protests forced U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to closed border crossings at El Paso, Big Bend, and Edinberg, Texas, Mr. Frey said.

According to the Department of Homeland Security report dated Feb. 10, the decision to close these borders was a repercussion of U.S. law enforcement authorities concerns of reported cartel-related violence seeping into the U.S. Evidence of Mexican drug cartels setting up drug-dealing operations throughout the U.S. have been linked to Anchorage, Alaska, Atlanta, Boston, and Sioux Falls, S.D.

In addition to drug trafficking and violent crimes, the Mexican state and federal governments authority has been diminished, Mr. Frey said.

"The Ciudad Juárez Police chief stepped down Feb. 23, due to repeated remarks by local gangs threatening to kill two cops every two days if he didn't," Mr. Frey said.

The length of time that these restrictions will continue has not been determined and more restrictions are predicted.

"If violence continues in these areas, more restrictions on travel will continue until Mexican authorities are capable of regaining the public's confidence against these drug cartels," Mr. Frey said. "These problems have already been going on for a long time, the events that have occurred recently have just highlighted them."

The decision to limit travel to Mexico is not an attempt to scrutinize all of Mexico, it's merely an attempt by General Seip to present people tools for safe travel, Mr. Frey said.