Updated warnings from the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico: possible violence & food shortages

With numerous reports of violence and alleged takeovers of two ranches in Laredo, Texas swirrling around the internet, I thought I'd post the actual 'Warden Messages' from the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo Mexico. (Police in Laredo as well as the U.S. Border Patrol 'know nothing of rumored Zeta standoff on Mines Road', according to The Laredo Morning Times). 

The U.S. Consulate website's main page is located here. At the top right of the page under 'Travel Information' there are links to 'Warden Messages- Nuevo Laredo' and  a more general 'Travel Warning- Mexico' dated July 16th. The 'Warden Messages' page begins as follows:

"Warden Messages -Occasionally it becomes necessary to notify American Citizens of occurances that may affect the safety or welfare of those living in the Nuevo Laredo consular district. These messages, known as "Warden Messages," are listed here."

The most current 'Warden Message', dated July 22, 2010, is titled  The U.S. Consulate General Advises U.S. Citizens to Defer Visits to the Consulate and states, in part,

"The U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo advises all U.S. citizens that due to concerns about security, visitors are advised to defer visits to the Consulate General this morning (July 22, 2010) until approximately 11:00 am, or until further notice.  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, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts 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 and Canada, 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". 

The previous 'Warden Message', dated July 21, is titled 'Urgent: Reports of Gun Battles in Nuevo Laredo' and states, in part, "The U.S. Consulate General has received reports of ongoing gun battles near the International Bridge 2 in the Colonia Victoria and Viveros areas of town. There are reports of the gun battles now moving into other parts of the city at this time and all U.S. citizens are advised to shelter in place until further notice."

The 'Warden Message' dated July 20th, titled 'Consulate Announces Restrictions for Official Americans Traversing Mexican Federal Highways' stated "The U.S. Consulate General advises all U.S. Citizens in the area that all American employees of the U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo are currently prohibited from transiting Highway 2 (Riberena) east of Nuevo Laredo between the Mexican Federal Highway 85 (Carretera Nacional)cloverleaf and Reynosa, and also west of Nuevo Laredo between the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge and Ciudad Acuna due to ongoing concerns of violence along this highway. U.S. citizens should consider alternate routes or delaying travel on this section of road."

 The 'Warden Message' dated July 16th, titled 'Security Situation Around the City in Nuevo Laredo' states "We have received credible reports of widespread violence occurring now between narcotics trafficking organizations and the Mexican Army in Nuevo Laredo. We have credible reports of grenades being used. The narcotics traffickers have reportedly blocked at least one major avenue, Lopez de Lara, and are carjacking vehicles. Other roads may also be blocked by narcotics traffickers. We advise all U.S. citizens in Nuevo Laredo to remain indoors until the security situation improves."

In addition to all this, the international bridges were closed for a time around July 8th due to storms and flooding 'in low lying areas of the Rio Grande River'.  The July 9th Warden Message, titled 'Local officials warn of supply shortages' stated "The U.S. Consulate General in Nuevo Laredo advises all U.S. citizens in the area that due to the recent storm and subsequent flooding that all Mexican highways leading into Nuevo Laredo have been closed. Local government officials are warning of possible shortages of food, water, gasoline, and medicine as no vehicles carrying these supplies will be able to reach the city from the interior of Mexico for the next 3-7 days depending on weather conditions. U.S. citizens in the area are advised to stock up on these supplies as appropriate. At this time, all city services remain open."

Regarding the violence and narcotics activity, PrisonPlanet.com is reporting that Mexican Drug Mafia Invades Texas.  Kimberly Dvorak of the Examiner reported Los Zetas drug cartel seizes 2 U.S. ranches in Texas and said 'Two sources inside the Laredo Police Department confirmed the incident is unfolding...', but added  'the sources inside Laredo PD spoke on the condition of anonymity'.

John G. Winder, Publisher of The Cypress Times ran the story and originally reported "I can tell you that as of now The Cypress Times has been unable to confirm the story"; but they later added text in red stating 'UPDATE: Story is now 100% confirmed by second source within the Laredo Police Department'. Cypress Times had re-published the story from DiggersRealm.com, which gives a third update, stating  "For those doubting the confirmation, I stand firmly behind Kimberly, but I have put together more on the confirmation and why this story truly matters at: "Why The Los Zetas Ranch Story Matters - Confirmation And Why A Media Blackout?". There are three confirmed sources within law enforcement.)"

The paper then notes '(Since then I have learned Kim has no less than three sources inside law enforcement. Kim was also involved in the Acorn investigation with Breitbart, so she's no whipper snapper.)

Diggersrealm also pointed out that 'The Los Zetas are highly trained killers initially trained by United States Special Operations forces to combat the drug cartels within Mexico. As the drug war heated up the Zetas saw more money in working for the cartels and joined up with the Gulf Cartel.'

What a great use of our tax dollars, eh?

The Cypress Times had reported that the U.S. Consulate had posted warnings of violence on it's website. The Consulate website itself currently lists a  Travel Warning dated July 16th which warns of travel in the area. Below are some excerpts from that general warning.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs
Mexico
July 16, 2010
The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. The authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros remains in place. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated May 6, 2010 to note the extension of authorized departure and to update guidance on security conditions and crime.

...Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations .... It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks involved in travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one becomes a victim of crime or violence. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.  ...Violence Along the U.S.-Mexico Border

Much of the country’s narcotics-related violence has occurred in the northern border region. For example, since 2006, three times as many people have been murdered in Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua, across from El Paso, Texas, than in any other city in Mexico. More than half of all Americans killed in Mexico in FY 2009 whose deaths were reported to the U.S. Embassy were killed in the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana.

Since 2006, large firefights have taken place in towns and cities in many parts of Mexico, often in broad daylight on streets and other public venues. Such firefights have occurred mostly in northern Mexico, including Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Chihuahua City, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Piedras Negras, Reynosa, Matamoros and Monterrey. Firefights have also occurred in Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima. During some of these incidents, U.S. citizens have been trapped and temporarily prevented from leaving the area.