As cartel-related violence continues to claim victims all over Mexico, both the U.S. and Canada have updated their travel advisory for people traveling to certain areas in the northern region of the country, warning them to exercise a high degree of caution if they do due to high levels of criminal activity as well as kidnappings.
A similar notice was sent out by the U.S. in July, warning people from travelling to the border city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas due to the increase of kidnappings for ransom targeting U.S. citizens and residents travelling on intercity buses.
Both countries continue to receive reports of armed car thefts, gunfire, kidnappings and roadblocks in the vicinity of Culiacán, the capital city of Sinaloa. The U.S. Consulate General has classified Sinaloa, along with five other Mexican states, as a Level 4: Do Not Travel place, similar to the advisories established for warring countries in the Middle East and Ukraine.
One of the epicenters of crimes against Canadian and American nationals has been the Culiacán-Mazatlán federal highway, where people have been victims of armed carjacking and robbery, among others.
The Canadian government is also advising its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the area, arguing that "violent crime is widespread." In its statement, the Canadian government recommends people to avoid all parts of Sinaloa bar the city of Los Mochis
According to the U.S. Consulate General, government employees are restricted to arrive in Mazatlán only by air or sea and are restricted to the historic city center and to the Zona Dorada, Mazatlán's prime hotel zone.
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As mentioned by both governments in their travel advisories, the Culiacán-Mazatlán federal highway has seen an increase in criminal activities over the last few weeks.
On Nov. 13, a 9-1-1 call alerted state officials of the presence of bodies along the highway. As they arrived at the scene, law enforcement found seven bodies that had signs of torture, with the Sinaloa Attorney General's Office opening an investigation to identify the victims.
That same day, another body was found just a few miles from the first crime scene. Members of the National Guard confirmed that the individual also showed signs of torture and violence.
Death toll in Sinaloa close to reach 400 since September
Since the two most prominent factions of the Sinaloa Cartel started a war for control over drug smuggling routes and territories in northern Mexico, news outlet Noroeste reports that, as of Nov. 13, at least 395 homicides have been reported since Sept. 9, when the conflict erupted.
Averaging six homicides per day, homicides is just one part of the problem caused by cartel-related violence. The outlet reports that at least 459 people have gone missing, for an average of seven a day.
Among other data, there have been 1,256 reports of stolen vehicles during that span, as well as 131 individuals arrested since Sept. 9.
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