1. February 2012 State Department Travel Warning “U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs (Transnational Criminal Orgs) which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico.” Crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.

2. Northern Mexico: Baja California Major Destination: Tijuana Targeted assassinations continue to take place in Baja California. Turf battles between criminal groups proliferated and resulted in numerous assassinations in areas of Tijuana frequented by U.S. citizens.

3. Northern Mexico: Sinaloa Major Destination: Mazatlan Defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan where you should exercise caution particularly late at night and in the early morning.

4. Southern Mexico: Jalisco and Colima Major Destinations in Jalisco: Jalisco Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas. Major Destinations in Colima: Manzanillo Exercise extreme caution when traveling through the areas of the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacán.

5. Mexican Drug Cartel Map

6. Mexican Drug Cartel Spotlight: Los Zetas Active 1999-present Lead by Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano Comprised of former Mexican and Guatemalan military elitists Considered the most violent, powerful, and technologically advanced drug cartel in Mexico.