Thousands demonstrate in Mexican city

OAXACA, Mexico — Thousands of anti-government demonstrators marched through this tense colonial city on Sunday, demanding the security forces abandon camps they set up last week to end a five-month protest.

Masked police officers clutching automatic weapons watched the protesters from rooftops as they marched to a plaza about a block away from the encampments, yelling "Get out federal police!"

The leaders then formed a human chain to keep the crowd of 20,000 from confronting police, but about 400 people broke through and attacked the officers with stones and bottles. Some of the police lobbed rocks back, while officers on rooftops used sling shots to shoot marbles at those trying to confront the police.

ON THE NET...

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2100.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Mon Nov 06 2006 00:57:39 GMT-0800.

Mexico (Oaxaca)

October 30, 2006

This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement dated August 24, which alerts U.S. citizens to the mounting violence and disorder in Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, Mexico. U.S. citizens should at this time avoid travel to Oaxaca City due to this increase in violence, which has resulted in at least nine deaths over the past several months. This Public Announcement expires on November 15, 2006.

On October 27, a U.S. journalist was fatally shot in Oaxaca City amid the ongoing violence and disorder caused by civil unrest. Several protest groups have engaged in increasingly violent demonstrations in and around Oaxaca City for several months, sometimes resulting in similarly violent reactions from other groups.

The Government of Mexico ordered the mobilization of the Federal Preventive Police (PFP) force to Oaxaca City on October 28 to quell violence and restore order to the area. Protesters and the PFP are currently engaged in violent confrontations within the city. There are reports that the main highway and secondary roads linking Oaxaca City to Mexico City may be closed at any time, and flights may be temporarily delayed or cancelled at the Xoxocotlan International Airport in Oaxaca City.

U.S. citizens already in Oaxaca should avoid demonstrations, remain in their homes or hotels, and avoid the downtown and surrounding areas during demonstrations or PFP operations, as random shootings and violence may occur at any time. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence unexpectedly. Since the timing and routes of marches and demonstrations are always subject to change, U.S. citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments and exercise extreme caution while within the vicinity of any protests.

U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid participating in demonstrations and other activities that might be deemed political by Mexican authorities. The Mexican constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners, and such actions may result in detention and/or deportation.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current worldwide caution public announcement, travel warnings and public announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate on the state department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. embassy in Mexico City, Office of Citizens' Consular Services, Reforma Ave 305, Col Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, D.F., Mexico CP 06500 Tel: (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000 or e-mail: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. For additional information, please refer to the embassy website: http://usembassy-mexico.gov.

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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Mon Nov 06 2006 00:58:53 GMT-0800.

Mexico

September 15, 2006

This Public Announcement alerts U.S. citizens to the rising level of brutal violence in areas of Mexico. This violence has occurred throughout Mexico, but has been particularly persistent in the city of Nuevo Laredo within the state of Tamaulipas. This Public Announcement expires on March 15, 2007.

U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico should exercise extreme caution when in unfamiliar areas and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Public sources suggest that narcotics-related violence has claimed 1,500 lives in Mexico this year. In recent months there have been execution-style murders of Mexican and U.S. citizens in Tamaulipas (particularly Nuevo Laredo), Michoacan, Baja California, Guerrero, and other states.

U.S. citizens have also been victims of random shootings on major highways outside of Mexico City, Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana, and other areas throughout Mexico. In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo, with more than two dozen cases still unresolved; recent incidents indicate a possible resurgence of kidnappings for ransom. Mexican police and other government figures have been murdered in Guerrero, Nuevo Leon, the Federal District, Tamaulipas, and other states. Drug cartel members have been known to follow and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros.

Though there is no evidence that U.S. citizens are targeted, criminals look for every opportunity to take advantage of unwary travelers. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (“cuota”) roads, which are generally more secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers from Mexico, a regular toll line at 001-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

For any emergencies involving American citizens in Mexico, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located in Mexico City at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, telephone from the United States: 011-52-55-5080-2000; telephone within Mexico City: 5080-2000; telephone long distance within Mexico 01-55-5080-2000. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's Internet address is http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/.

Consulates:

Ciudad Juarez: Avenida Lopez Mateos 924-N, telephone (52)(656) 611-3000.
Guadalajara: Progreso 175, telephone (52)(333) 268-2100.
Monterrey: Avenida Constitucion 411 Poniente, telephone (52)(818) 345-2120.
Tijuana: Tapachula 96, telephone (52)(664) 622-7400.
Hermosillo: Avenida Monterrey 141, telephone (52)(662) 289-3500.
Matamoros: Avenida Primera 2002, telephone (52)(868) 812-4402.
Merida: Paseo Montejo 453, telephone (52)(999) 925-5011.
Nogales: Calle San Jose, Nogales, Sonora, telephone (52)(631) 313-4820.
Nuevo Laredo: Calle Allende 3330, Col. Jardin, telephone (52)(867) 714-0512.

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