The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert Feb. 20 for the country of Mexico due to the rise in violence related to drug trafficking. This supersedes the previous travel alert released in October 2008 and will expire Aug. 20, 2009. The hightened violence could disrupt students Spring Break plans.

“A travel alert is less serious than a travel warning,” Donna Anderson, director of the Institute for Study Abroad, said. “The Travel Alert pertains mainly to increased violence that has occurred near the U.S. border and reminds U.S. citizens traveling throughout Mexico that they should exercise caution in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

UW-Platteville does have one student, Brock Waterman, enrolled in a CCIS program in Guadalajara, located in south central Mexico.

“UW-P does not allow students or faculty to travel or study in countries under U.S. State Department Travel Warnings,” Anderson said. Waterman’s program is not close to the areas that are experiencing the extreme violence.

Though most of the violence is along the border, it’s recommended that students traveling to Mexico for Spring Break inform themselves of policy changes and travel alerts.

According to travel.state.gov, “Mexican drug cartels are engaged in an increasingly violent conflict—both among themselves and with Mexican security services—for control of narcotics trafficking routes along the U.S.-Mexico border.”

As a result the Department of State is reminding tourists to only travel during daylight hours and to travel in groups. Also, travelers should make note of the closest U.S. embassy and register themselves with the U.S. Consulate at travelregistration.state.gov.

While most of the violence is not centered around heavy tourist areas such as Cancun or Cozumel, tourists are still at risk no matter where they travel when alcohol is involved. According to travel.state.gov, “Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes and deaths suffered by American students on Spring Break.” It is important to note that all individuals 16 years of age or older are tried as adults.

As of January 2007, It is required that any U.S. resident traveling by air to Mexico have a valid U.S. passport and tourists staying in Mexico for more than 72 hours now must obtain a tourist card upon their arrival in Mexico. While most airlines provide the tourist card in the price of the ticket, students should phone their airline and confirm the status of their tourist card.

More information on the travel warning and traveling to Mexico can be found at travel.state.gov.