El US Army prohíbe a su personal cruzar a México

El Ejército de Estados Unidos envió el mes pasado esta advertencia a todo su personal, prohibiéndoles cruzar a varias ciudades mexicanas sin permiso previo. La restricciín incluye Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez, Ciudad Acuña, Piedras Negras, Matamoros y Reynosa.
El comunicado hace recuento de la violencia en las ciudades fronterizas relacionada al tráfico de drogas.
El US Army describe la violencia entre grupos de narcotraficantes y contra las fuerzas policiacas y periodistas como una que "ha escalado a niveles equivalentes a combates militares de pequeñas unidades".

EL COMUNICADO COMPLETO A CONTINUACIÓN:


DTG:
FROM: HQ USARNORTH
TO: CDR AMC//CDR IMCOM//CDR MDW // CDR MEDCOM//CDR TRADOC//CDR USACE//CDR USARC//CDR USMA//
CC: ARMY WATCH AOC//CDR FORSCOM//CDR INSCOM//CDR ATEC//CDR USASOC//CDR USACIDC//CDR ARSTRAT/USASMDC//CDR USAASC//CDR NETCOM//CDR USARSO//CDR USARCENT//DIRECTOR, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD//CDR USNORTHCOM//HQDA//
PRECEDENCE: IMMEDIATE
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
MESSAGE TYPE: OTHER-ORGANIZATIONAL
SUBJ/TRAVEL FORCE PROTECTION ADVISORY FOR MEXICO//
REF/A/U. S. STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ALERT, 14 April 2008//
REF/B/USARNORTH OPORD 20080108, FORCE PROTECTION (FP)//
REF/C/AR 600-8-10, LEAVES AND PASSES, 15 FEBRUARY 2006//
REF/D/WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, 31 January 2008 //
REF/E/Memorandum, COMMANDER FORT BLISS TEXAS, Subject: Temporary Off-Limits of Juarez, Mexico, DATED 24 march 08//
REF/F/Memorandum, COMMANDER FORT HUACHUCA, SUBJECT: POLICY 104 TRAVEL TO MEXICO, DATED 24 September 07//
REF/G/FRAGO 5 TO MISSION SUPPORT ORDER PC 05-06-108 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO MEXICO, commander fort hood, DATED 01 MAY 08//
REF/H/Memorandum, COMMANDER lAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, SUBJECT: MEXICO TRAVEL POLICY, DATED 17 MAY 07//
REF/I/Memorandum, COMMANDER LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, SUBJECT: MEXICO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, DATED 16 APRIL 08//
REF/J/Memorandum, COMMANDER RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, SUBJECT: OFF-LIMiTS AREAS, DATED 13 APRil 2007//
REF/K/MCIWEST QTRLY REGIONAL OFF-LIMITS AND AREAS OF CAUTION FOR MILPERS, DATED 25 MARCH 08//
REF/L/USARNORTH Travel Advisory Warning, DATED 06 February 2008//
POC/MR. ERIK FEY/USARNORTH PMO CHIEF, RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION/LOC: FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX/TEL: (210) 221-1452/EMAIL: ERIK.FEY@US.ARMY.MIL//
AMPN/REF/A/PROVIDES U.S. CITIZENS INFORMATION ON SECURITY SITUATIONS IN MEXICO THAT MAY AFFECT THEIR ACTIVITIES//
REF/B/PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING, AND EXECUTING US ARMY FORCE PROTECTION MISSION AND ANTITERRORISM PROGRAM IN THE USARNORTH Force Protection OPERATION AREA (FPOA)//
REF/C/PRESCRIBES THE POLICIES AND MANDATES OPERATING TASKS FOR THE LEAVE AND PASS FUNCTION OF THE MILITARY PERSONNEL SYSTEM//
REF/D/PROVIDES RE-ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PERSONNEL TRAVELING BETWEEN U.S. AND MEXICO//
REF/E/Specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT FT BLISS//
REF/F/specific travel restrictions FOR PERSONNEL AT FT HUACHUCA//
REF/G/specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT FT HOOD//
REF/H/specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE//
REF/I/specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE//
REF/J/specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE//
REF/K/specific travel restrictions FoR PERSONNEL AT PALMS, MIRAMAR, BARSTOW, AND CAMP PENDLETON, CA AND YUMA, AZ//
REF/L/Provides FPOA awareness//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/BACKGROUND:
1.0 (U/FOUO) VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY FUELED BY A WAR BETWEEN CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS STRUGGLING FOR CONTROL OF THE LUCRATIVE NARCOTICS TRADE CONTINUES ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER. ATTACKS ARE AIMED PRIMARILY AT MEMBERS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS, MEXICAN POLICE FORCES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, AND JOURNALISTS. HOWEVER, FOREIGN VISITORS AND RESIDENTS, INCLUDING AMERICANS, HAVE BEEN AMONG THE VICTIMS OF HOMICIDES AND KIDNAPPINGS IN THE BORDER REGION.
1.1 (U/FOUO) IN ITS EFFORT TO COMBAT VIOLENCE, THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS DEPLOYED POLICE AND MILITARY TROOPS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. RECENT FIGHTING BETWEEN MEXICAN ARMY/POLICE FORCE AND HEAVILY-ARMED NARCOTICS CARTELS HAS ESCALATED TO LEVELS EQUIVALENT TO MILITARY SMALL-UNIT COMBAT AND HAVE INCLUDED USE OF MACHINE GUNS AND FRAGMENTATION GRENADES. CONFRONTATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN NUMEROUS TOWNS AND CITIES IN NORTHERN MEXICO, ESPECIALLY TIJUANA, THE MEXICAN STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA, CHIHUAHUA CITY AND JUAREZ.
1.2 (U/FOUO) THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN MEXICO REMAINS VERY FLUID; THE LOCATION AND TIMING OF FUTURE ARMED ENGAGEMENTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED. ARMED ROBBERIES AND CARJACKINGS, APPARENTLY UNCONNECTED TO THE NARCOTICS-RELATED VIOLENCE, HAVE INCREASED IN TIJUANA AND JUAREZ. DOZENS OF U.S. CITIZENS WERE KIDNAPPED AND/OR MURDERED IN TIJUANA IN 2007. PUBLIC SHOOTOUTS HAVE OCCURRED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS NEAR SHOPPING AREAS. CRIMINALS ARE ARMED WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS. IN SOME CASES, ASSAILANTS HAVE WORN FULL OR PARTIAL POLICE OR MILITARY UNIFORMS AND HAVE USED TRANSPORTATION THAT RESEMBLE POLICE VEHICLES.
1.3 (U/FOUO) VIOLENCE BY CRIMINAL ELEMENTS AFFECTS MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, URBAN AND RURAL, TO INCLUDE BORDER AREAS. THOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT U.S. CITIZENS ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED, MEXICAN AND FOREIGN BYSTANDERS HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED IN VIOLENT ATTACKS.
1.4 (U/FOUO) IN RECENT YEARS, DOZENS OF U.S. CITIZENS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED IN MEXICO AND MANY CASES REMAIN UNRESOLVED. MOREOVER, NEW CASES OF DISAPPEARANCES AND KIDNAP-FOR-RANSOM CONTINUE TO BE REPORTED. NO ONE CAN BE CONSIDERED IMMUNE FROM KIDNAPPING ON THE BASIS OF OCCUPATION, NATIONALITY, OR OTHER FACTORS.
1.5 (U/FOUO) THE EXISTING VIOLENCE DUE TO THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AND THE DRUG CARTELS HAS CREATED POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR ALL PERSONNEL ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICAN BORDER. THE HIGHEST RISK AREAL ARE, tijuana, nogales, juarez, NUEVO LAREDO, ACUNA, PIEDRAS NEGRAS, AND REYNOSA/MATAMOROS.
2.0 (U/FOUO) AS OUTLINED IN THE ABOVE REFERENCES, SEVERAL ARMY AND OTHER SERVICE INSTALLATION COMMANDERS HAVE PLACED AREAS ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER OFF LIMITS DUE TO FORCE PROTECTION CONCERNS.
2.1 (U/FOUO) DUE TO THE INCREASED VIOLENCE ALONG THE BORDER AND BORDER TOWNS, CDR USARNORTH ADVISES ARMY COMMANDERS TO RESTRICT DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY SERVICE MEMBERS’ TRAVEL TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER: tijuana, nogales, juarez, NUEVO LAREDO, ACUNA, PIEDRAS NEGRAS, AND REYNOSA/MATAMOROS. usarNORTH RECOMMENDS THAT TRAVEL TO THESE AREAS REMAIN RESTRICTED UNTIL SAFETY AND SECURITY CONDITIONS IMPROVE.
3. (u/fouo) COMMANDERS SHOULD CONSIDER APPROVING TRAVEL TO THESE AREAS ONLY on a case-by-case basis FOR FAMILY AND emergency situations OR CRITICAL MISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ONLY AFTER COMPLETING A THOROUGH RISK ASSESSMENT, APPROVED BY SENIOR LEADERSHIP.
4. (u/fouo) IF TRAVEL TO THESE AREAS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, USARNORTH REmindS COMMANDERS THAT TRAVELERS must have current level one AT/FP TRAINING AND RECEIVE APPROPRIATE THREAT/AREA BRIEFINGS PRIOR TO TRAVEL.
5. (u) fAMILY MEMBERS, dEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIANS, AND CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS ARE URGED TO AVOID TRAVEL TO THESE AREAS AS WELL.
6. (U) CDR USNORTHCOM HAS SET THE FPCON AS BRAVO FOR MEXICO. TRAVELER FPCON PROCEDURES CAN BE FOUND IN USARNORTH OPORD 20080108 AT TABLE 1 AND 2 TO TAB A TO APPENDIX 5 TO ANNEX C.
7. (U) IN ADDITION, ALL ARMY COMMANDERS ARE REMINDED THAT SOLDIERS DESIRING TO TAKE LEAVE OR TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES MUST OBTAIN APPROVAL. ARMY RULES FOR LEAVE OR TRAVEL CLEARANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ARE LOCATED IN CHAPTER 8, AR 600-8-10. WHEN GRANTED LEAVE OR TRAVEL CLEARANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, ALL DOD PERSONNEL ON TEMPORARY DUTY, LEAVE OR PASS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLYING WITH ALL OTHER LOCAL, HOST, INSTALLATION TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, AND THE DOD FOREIGN CLEARANCE GUIDE.
8. (U) EFFECTIVE 31 JANUARY 2008, U.S. CITIZENS NEED TO PRESENT EITHER A PASSPORT OR A GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PHOTO ID, SUCH AS A DRIVERS LICENSE, PLUS PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, SUCH AS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, WHEN ENTERING THE U.S. FROM MEXICO OR CANADA, VIA LAND OR SEA/SEE HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV/TRAVEL/CBPMC/CBPMC_2223.HTML.
9. (U) THE Department of State warns U.S. citizens against taking any type of firearm or ammunition into Mexico without prior written authorization from the Mexican authorities. Entering Mexico with a firearm, ANY TYPE OF kniFe or even a single round of ammunition is illegal. even if the weapon or ammunition is taken into Mexico unintentionally, The Mexican government strictly enforces its laws restricting the entry of firearms and ammunition along all land borders and at airports and seaports. Violations have resulted in arrests, convictions, and long prison sentences for U.S. citizens.
10. (u) FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON STAYING SAFE IN MEXICO, PLEASE SEE THE MEXICO COUNTRY SPECIFIC INFORMATION AT: HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV/TRAVEL/CIS_PA_TW/CIS/CIS_970.HTML. FOR THE LATEST SECURITY INFORMATION, U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING ABROAD SHOULD REGULARLY MONITOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S INTERNET WEB SITE AT HTTP://TRAVEL.STATE.GOV WHERE THE CURRENT WORLDWIDE CAUTION, TRAVEL WARNINGS, AND TRAVEL ALERTS CAN BE FOUND.
11. (U/FOUO) POC IS CHIEF, RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION, MR. ERIK FEY AT (210) 221-1452/DSN 471-1452 OR EMAIL: ERIK.FEY@US.ARMY.MIL.