I remember the recent murder of the outfitter down there.
Looks like things are pretty shaky.
Wow.
I found the alert.
Travel warning between Nogales and Hermosillo
Posted: May 26, 2010 11:13 AM PDT
Updated: May 26, 2010 12:58 PM PDT
Reporter: Sheryl Kornman
HERMOSILLO, Mexico (KGUN9-TV) - Travelers between Nogales and Hermosillo are being warned by the U.S Consulate General in Hermosillo to travel that highway only in the daytime.
A "Warden Message" issued on May 21 notes that a U.S. citizen living in Sonora was found murdered earlier this month. He apparently had been driving on the highway, Highway 15.
U.S. Consular workers are required to travel in armored vehicles on that highway and only during daylight hours. Highway 15 is the major route for U.S. travelers driving from Nogales through Hermosillo to Guaymas, to fishing and snorkeling vacation sites in Kino Bay.
The murder of the American was disclosed in an earlier travel warning that was issued May 11:
"This Warden Message is issued to encourage U.S. citizens to use extreme caution when traveling on Mexican Federal Highway 15 between Hermosillo and Nogales. A U.S. citizen disappeared early on May 3rd departing from his residence in Benjamin Hill, Sonora.
His vehicle was found later that day in Santa Ana, and his remains were recovered May 8. He had been murdered.
Based on further investigation, a general increased threat to travelers on the highway between Hermosillo and Nogales continues to exist.
U.S. Consulates Nogales and Hermosillo have requested that their employees defer travel on Highway 15 between Hermosillo and Nogales until further notice. Additional information will be released as it is received.
U.S. citizens traveling through northern Mexico should exercise caution. Review of recent violence indicates that although criminal acts can occur unexpectedly at any time of day, overall it is safer to travel during the morning and early afternoon hours."
The May 21 "Warden Message" notes that consular officials can now travel on Highway 15, but "only in armored vehicles when they are on official business."
"This Warden Message is issued to encourage U.S. citizens to use extreme caution when traveling on Mexican Federal Highway 15 between Hermosillo and Nogales. It is an update of the warden message issued on May 11, 2010.
"While a general increased threat to travelers on the highway between Hermosillo and Nogales continues to exist, U.S. consulate employees are permitted once again to travel on Highway 15. When traveling for work purposes, employees must use an armored vehicle. For personal travel, it is recommended employees travel with others, so that at least two vehicles are traveling together at a time. Also, employees' travel along the highway is restricted to daylight hours.
U.S. citizens traveling through northern Mexico should exercise caution. Review of recent violence indicates that although criminal acts can occur unexpectedly at any time of day, overall it is safer to travel during the morning and early afternoon hours. American citizens are advised to refer to guidance in the Department of State's most recent Travel Warning for Mexico located on the internet at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html and Country Specific Information for Mexico, which can be found at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html for additional information regarding the current security situation in the country. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate through the State Department's travel registration website
http://travel.state.gov/ibrs/ui.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate.
U.S. citizens in Hermosillo's consular district may contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General, located at Monterrey 141 Poniente, Col. Esqueda, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico; telephone 662 289 3500; after hours emergency telephone 044 662 256 0741; web page:
http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov; ACS Unit fax 662 217 2571; email:
[email protected].
U.S. citizens in Nogales' consular district may contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate, located on Calle San Jose (S/N), Col. Los Alamos, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico; telephone 011 +52 (631) 311-8150; after hours emergency telephone 011 +52 1 (631) 318-0723; web page:
http://nogales.usconsulate.gov/; ACS Unit fax 011 +52 (631) 313-4652; email:
[email protected]"