State Department issues travel warning for Cancun, Los Cabos over Mexico violence

The State Department on Tuesday issued a travel advisory for Mexico that includes two popular resort destinations following violence and criminal activity in the country.

The department issued the travel advisory for areas including Baja California Sur, the state where Cabo San Lucas is located, and Quintana Roo, which is home to multiple other tourist destinations.

Quintana Roo, the advisory said, has seen a rise in homicide rates.

{mosads}“While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens,” the advisor said, referencing the Mexican state that includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and Riviera Maya.

“Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured or killed, have occurred.”

Baja California Sur has dealt with a high rate of homicides, the State Department said.

The department did not issue the “defer non-essential travel” warning to Baja California Sur or Quintana Roo, unlike other areas in Mexico that have received the warning.

“There is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality,” the advisory said. “Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes.”