Play it safe when traveling to Mexico; avoid Nogales, border cities Published Dec. 19, 2008 By Lt. Col. Dan Summers 162nd Fighter Wing Anti-Terrorism Office TUCSON, Ariz. -- Wing leadership strongly advises 162nd Fighter Wing members and their families to avoid traveling to Nogales, Sonora. More than 5,000 people have been killed throughout Mexico since the wing issued a travel advisory for Mexico last year. Over the past few months there has been a rapid increase in violence in Nogales, Sonora . The deaths are primarily a result of an ongoing war between drug trafficking organizations and Mexican authorities -- particularly in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez, Nogales and Tijuana. Wing members traveling to Nogales, or anywhere in Mexico, can increase their safety by taking the following precautions: Provide travel plans and contact information to a friend, relative, or coworker here state-side and stay in frequent contact with them while you are in Mexico. Register with the appropriate State Department's travel registration online at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Call the Military Intelligence Section at 295-6238 to receive the latest country briefing. Avoid large crowds and demonstrations where violence may erupt, travel in groups, and stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas. Don't do anything that may make you a target of violence such as showing large amounts of cash, jewelry, or other valuable items. Do not participate in political demonstrations; foreigners participating in political demonstrations are prohibited by the Mexican constitution and may result in detention. Most violence remains targeted between competing drug cartels and Mexican Law Enforcement but injury or death of innocent bystanders is not uncommon. Juarez and Tijuana remain the most dangerous areas along the border so travel to those cities requires even greater caution. Areas such as Rocky Point and San Carlos have not experienced the type of violent spikes found in the border cities but caution is highly recommended. For more detailed information on staying safe in Mexico, please see the Mexico Consular Information Sheet at: http://travel.state.gov/travel. For the latest security information, monitor the State Department's Web site at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747, or 001-202-501-4444. For any emergencies involving U.S. 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. You may also contact the Embassy by e-mail at: ccs@usembassy.net.mx. The Embassy's Internet address is www.usembassy-mexico.gov.