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Avoid at Christmas: Fruitcake, Family Drama and Mexico

The Texas Capitol
Picture by KUT
State officials say stay away from Mexico over the holidays

In a move that seems to be becoming a holiday tradition, the Texas Department of Public Safety released it's annual call for Texans to avoid Mexico over the holidays.  DPS sighted increased violence, kidnappings, assault and rape along the boarder as reasons Texans should stay away.

In a press release today, DPS Director Steven C. McCraw says that while the department knows people safely travel and vacation in Mexico on a daily basis, the increase in violence is also a reality.

“Mexican drug cartel-related violence continues in the northern Mexican border cities, and other locations such a Monterrey and Acapulco.  Drug-related or other criminal activity has been documented in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Mazatlan. The safety and security of holiday travelers cannot be guaranteed if they venture into Mexico.”

The DPS says travelers should always check either with the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for the most up-to-date information related to security issues in Mexico.

Ben Philpott is the Managing Editor for KUT. Got a tip? Email him at bphilpott@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @BenPhilpottKUT.