Mexico: One American tourist killed in Tamaulipas state on January 4

Event

An American family was attacked by a group of gunmen in Tamaulipas state on Saturday, January 4, as they returned towards the United States from vacation. One member of the family, a 13-year-old girl, was killed, while four others were wounded in the assault. The group drove in two cars and were attacked on a highway parallel to the US-Mexico border in Ciudad Mier, where an SUV cut them off.

A heightened security presence is likely in the area over the coming days. Similar incidents cannot be ruled out over the near term.

Advice

Individuals present in Tamaulipas state are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Due to extreme levels of violence linked to the presence of various armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of Mexico: notably, the states of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas, as well as the northeastern border with the US.