New US State Dept. warning this morning

Anyone know what's going on? We're advised to stay in our homes until after 10:00 a.m.

Quick question if you will. Who's we and who advised you? Tx

This was received in my email inbox at 9:16 last night.

Due to reported criminal activity in Jalisco, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara recommends that all Americans stay in their homes until 10:00 am, Saturday, April, 11. Maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings (including the Travel Warning for Mexico), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Mexico. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

The U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara is located at 175 Progreso Street, Col. Americana and is open Monday-Friday, from 0730 to 1230. The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara’s telephone number is 011 52 33 3268 2100; the fax number is 011 52 33 3825 1951. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the Consulate is 011 52 33 3268 2145.

The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta is located at Paseo de los Cocoteros #85; Sur Paradise Plaza, Interior Local L-7, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit and is open Monday-Friday from 0830 to 1230. The U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta’s telephone numbers are 011 52 322 222 0069 & 011 52 322 223 3301; the fax number is 011 52 322 223 0074. For after-hours emergencies, please call 011 52 33 3268 2145.

I was at a club in Guadalajara until about11:00pm last night. Didn't see or hear anything unusual. In fact it did seem to be busier than normal.

Guess I should have stayed there until 10:00am this morning.......

CanuckBob wrote:I was at a club in Guadalajara until about11:00pm last night. Didn't see or hear anything unusual. In fact it did seem to be busier than normal.

Guess I should have stayed there until 10:00am this morning.......

SNORK!

gpbasap wrote:This was received in my email inbox at 9:16 last night.

Due to reported criminal activity in Jalisco, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara recommends that all Americans stay in their homes until 10:00 am, Saturday, April, 11.  Maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of your surroundings and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

Amazing.
What a bunch of morons.
It's been my experience that the employees at US consulates are pretty much worthless.

I wonder what the threat was that prompted such a dire warning. It must have been a big 'un eh? Does anyone know?

That has to be the best ever from the US State Department. What's next? Do due the strong possibility of sunny weather throughout Jalisco, The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara highly recommends using sun block with an SPF of no less than 30.

This advisory may be related to the recent ambush and killing of Jalisco state police near Puerto Vallarta. In response, the U.S. has placed sanctions on the CJNG and its leaders under the Drug Kingpin Act. Perhaps they had specific information that the CJNG would retaliate. Here's a link to the news article. From El Universal...

U.S. blacklists two Mexican cartels and their leaders
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/in-english/2015/ofac-jalisco-cuinis-103970.html

Good catch Jim Wilson.

Smartalex wrote:

U.S. blacklists two Mexican cartels and their leaders

You'd think that all drug cartels would be on the "blacklist".

viajero wrote:

Smartalex wrote:

U.S. blacklists two Mexican cartels and their leaders

You'd think that all drug cartels would be on the "blacklist".

I had the same impression upon reading the article.

I think to be on safe side I'm gonna start wearing my Canadian fanny pack with the prominent maple leaf logo,at least until this blows over.

To be really safe you might want to wear the fanny pack in front. Your back side can take a round or two.

Somehow, this reminds me of the nuclear attack drills held in schools when I was a kid. Some wag said it all: bend over and kiss your sweet a...s goodbye.

Hide indoors during a cartel attack???

I guess this only affects Americans.....  No travel advisories were issued by the Canadian Government!

Canadian Government Travel Advisories

There was some kind of altercation/disturbance on the Periferico overnight that had traffic blocked for a while. Haven't heard if it was attributed to narco violence or some other criminal activity.
Anyhow, all parties agreed to cease and desist by 10:00 AM, hence the consulate advisory.

Thank you!

Thank you, slainte39, for a straightforward answer to a simple question.

Check out the article in today's El Informador regarding these supposed atentados,apparently they didn't happen but were false rumors spread through the social media.
The US consulate really should fact check this stuff,relying on unsubstantiated tweets doesn't cut it.
My favorite US state department advisory was this one from a few years ago,(avoid driving backcountry roads in Michoacan after dark).

US State Department warnings are so vague and anonymous they serve no useful purpose whatsoever other than to cause worry and fear.

This particular warning says "Due to reported criminal activity in Jalisco, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara recommends that all Americans stay in their homes until 10:00 am, Saturday, April, 11."

What a joke. Jalisco is a massive state with millions of people.

Probably OK to joke about the warnings,  but probably better to heed them.  Because I know only a little, I prefer to believe that the source knows more than I do.

The Informador and other media report only a little due to the fear of reprisal by the criminal element

Easylife, rest assured that you know more about where you are living than the U.S. State Department does. There is no way that every American living in the state of Jalisco needed to remain in their homes from last night until 10 a.m. today.

easylife wrote:
The Informador and other media report only a little due to the fear of reprisal by the criminal element

Nonsense...I've been reading the the Informador and following the the local news in Guadalajara for years,they report on narco crime every day,every time there's been a major incident it's been covered,if they didn't they'd be laughed out of town.
And the US consulate predicting the time "10:00 am"that it would be safe for US citizens to leave their houses is beyond ridiculous.

viajero wrote:Check out the article in today's El Informador regarding these supposed atentados,apparently they didn't happen but were false rumors spread through the social media.

That's exactly what a friend of mine who is Mexican told me today when I laughingly told him about the warning from the US State Department. He said he received several messages via social media last night essentially saying "don't go out tonight". Good to know the US State Department is monitoring the local internet fueled rumor mill. That's valuable intelligence gathering.