| Workers Union march through Oaxaca |
| 26 Nov 2008 |
| On 26 November 2008 thousands of members of Section 22 of the Mexican National Education Workers Union (STNE) marched in the city of Oaxaca to mark the second anniversary of violent protests that occurred in November 2006. In the most recent demonstration, protesters threw stones at the windows of several government buildings and shops in the downtown area. Protesters also attacked the state headquarters of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). There have been no reported plans to continue the protests on 26 November, though travellers should anticipate possible transportation disruptions in the city of Oaxaca should more demonstrations occur.
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| Gunfire reported near U.S. Consulate in Monterrey |
| 14 Nov 2008 |
| Gunfire was reported near the U.S. Consulate on Avenida Constitución in Monterrey on 13 November 2008. At least one bullet hit a nearby cart belonging to a fruit vendor. Mexican police officers immediately surrounded the facility. The consulate has suspended operations. The incident followed two similar attacks in October 2008 in which unknown assailants fired gunshots and threw a grenade in the vicinity of the consulate.
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| Mexican Interior Minister killed in aircrash |
| 05 Nov 2008 |
| On 4 November 2008 a government-owned Learjet 45 aircraft carrying several Mexican officials crashed at approximately 1900 local time in the Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood of Mexico City. The crash occurred in an area with several tall commercial and residential buildings near the Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city's main avenues. At least nine people were killed and at least 50 were injured. Mexican Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino was among the fatalities. The aircraft was en route from Ponciano Arriaga International Airport (MMSP/SLP) in San Luis Potosi and was scheduled to arrive at Mexico City International Airport (MMMX/MEX). The aircraft reported an emergency shortly after takeoff and at some point lost contact with the control tower in Mexico City. The cause of the crash is unknown at this point. There has been much speculation in the Mexican press that the crash was an act of sabotage that may have targeted Jose Luis Santiago, a former anti-drug prosecutor who had survived a previous assassination attempt. However, there have thus far been no reported indications of foul play. The Mexican military has heightened security at the San Luis Airport as authorities carry out an investigation into the crash. Travelers should expect transportation delays in Mexico City.
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| Gunshots fired near U.S. Consulate in Monterrey |
| 17 Oct 2008 |
| Gunshots were fired in the vicinity of the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey on 16 October 2008. Mexican soldiers and police officers immediately surrounded the building, but were unable to find the assailant. Officials have not yet determined whether the gunshots specifically targeted the consulate. The incident follows a similar event at the consulate on 12 October, when unknown assailants fired gunshots and threw a grenade (which did not explode) at the facility in the middle of the night. Authorities have not yet determined whether the two events are linked. The consulate suspended all consular services on 16 October, but is expected to resume normal operations on 17 October. The consulate has heightened security in response to the situation.
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| Earthquake along coast off the state of Chiapas |
| 17 Oct 2008 |
| On 16 October an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale occurred along the coast off the state of Chiapas. There are no reports of human casualties or major damage. Visitors to the area should monitor local press and follow the advice of the local authorities.
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| Gunmen fire shots at the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey |
| 13 Oct 2008 |
| On 12 October 2008 unidentified gunmen fired several shots at the U.S. Consulate building in Monterrey in northern Mexico. A spokesman for the Mexican government told reporters that there were no witnesses to the shooting and that the only indication of the attack was the discovery of several empty shell casings outside the consulate building. An unconfirmed report from a local newspaper indicated that two men approached the consulate and fired several shots while simultaneously tossing a dummy grenade at the entrance. Police officials stated that no suspects have been identified and an investigation into the incident is underway. Officials at the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City have not commented on the incident.
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| Hurricane Norbert located off southern tip of Baja California |
| 10 Oct 2008 |
| As of 0900 UTC on 10 October 2008, Hurricane Norbert was located approximately 315 mi/510 km southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Norbert is now a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained wind speeds of 85 mph/74 kt and higher gusts. No significant change in strength is expected over the next 24 hours. Norbert is moving north-northwest at 8 mph/7 kt. It is forecasted to turn toward the north and then the northeast in the course of 10 October, and its forward speed is expected to increase. The center of the hurricane is forecast to approach southern Baja California early on 11 October. A hurricane warning is in effect for the west coast of Baja California from Punta Andresito to Agua Blanca; a hurricane watch is in effect from Agua Blanca south Cabo San Lucas and northward around the peninsula to Loreto.
Tropical Storm Odile is also active in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Odile has sustained wind speed of 60 mph/52 kt, with higher gusts. Some strengthening expected during the next 24 hours. Odile is located approximately 285 mi/455 km southeast of Acapulco and is moving west-northwest at 9 mph/8 kt. This general motion is expected to continue over the next 48 hours, meaning that Odile will move parallel to Mexico's Pacific coast. A tropical storm watch is in effect from Punta Maldonado westward to Zihuatanejo.
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| Hepatitis A outbreak in Queretaro |
| 09 Oct 2008 |
| There have been reports of a Hepatitis A outbreak in Queretaro. The Mexican government is aware. The Ministry of Health have confirmed 86 cases in the area between April and 2 October 2008 and have stated that the virus is now under control.
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| Hurricane building strength and forecast to make landfall Saturday 11th October |
| 09 Oct 2008 |
| Hurricane Norbert is currently building strength in the Pacific Ocean and is forecast to make landfall over the Baja California peninsula on Saturday 11th October 2008. You should monitor local and international weather reports and follow the advice of the local authorities. |
| Rally will affect central Mexico City traffic |
| 08 Oct 2008 |
| Teachers from various states and Mexico City will march in the capital on 8 October 2008 to protest against the Alliance for Educational Quality (ACE), a plan to reform the educational system in Mexico. The march is scheduled to begin at the Independence Monument, located on Paseo de la Reforma and end at the Ministry of Education building, located near the Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo); no time has been announced for the start of the protest. The marchers have also stated that they intend to establish an open-ended presence on the following streets: Republica de Brasil, Republica de Argentina and Republica de Venezuela.
The teachers claim that the reform plan will hurt job security. Protests against the ACE escalated on 7 October in the central state of Morelos, where teachers blocked the major access points into the state, disrupting traffic to and from Mexico City, as well as between Morelos and the states of Mexico, Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca. Police officers used tear gas to disperse a group of teachers who were blocking the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway. At least five teachers were injured (one report put the number of injuries at 20), and officers detained seven others. Following the police action, local residents blocked a parallel roadway for seven hours.
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| Tropical Storm Marie still active but moving away from the Mexican coast |
| 03 Oct 2008 |
| Tropical Storm Marie is still active in the eastern Pacific Ocean and is moving away from the Mexican coast. As of 0900 UTC on 3 October 2008, Marie was located approximately 855 mi/1,375 km west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Marie is moving toward the west at 6 mph/5 kt, and this movement is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. Marie is generating sustained winds of approximately 60 mph/52 kt with higher gusts; some strengthening is possible over the next 24-48 hours, but the storm is then forecast to weaken again.
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| Armed men steal five small Cessna aircraft |
| 01 Oct 2008 |
| In the early hours of 30 September 2008 a group of 20-25 armed men stole five small Cessna aircraft from an airstrip in the state of Sinaloa after disarming the police officer who was guarding them. The incident occurred at an unpaved strip known as Aerofumigaciones La Perla, located in the town of Navolato. Up to 15 aircraft were parked at the facility at the time.
Although the motive for the theft has not been established with certainty, narcotraffickers in Mexico often steal small aircraft to use in their activities. Since November 2007 the Mexican army has confiscated 245 aircraft, and the aircraft stolen on 30 September were among them. The official reason was that they had irregularities that violated aviation laws, but a media report stated that the likely reason was that authorities suspected that they were being used by drug smugglers.
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| Worst flooding in 40 years |
| 30 Sep 2008 |
| The state of Veracruz is experiencing what local officials are calling the worst flooding in 40 years. The worst affected areas are located in the southern part of the state, with large sections of the towns of Minatitlan and Hidalgotitlan under as much as 10 ft/3 m of water. Approximately 10,000 people have taken refuge in shelters, and on 29 September 2008 the state governor urged them to remain in place, as more rainfall is forecast for the coming days. Five oil wells of Petroleros Mexicanos (PEMEX) in Veracruz remain closed.
Flooding has also affected 13 of the 17 municipalities of the state of Tabasco, which borders on Veracruz. Floodwaters have impacted federal and state roadways, schools, churches and other public facilities; an estimated 27,500 state residents have been affected, approximately 1,700 of who are currently in shelters.
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| Tropical Storm Lowell heading for landfall |
| 09 Sep 2008 |
| As of 0900 UTC on 9 September 2008, Tropical Storm Lowell was located approximately 245 mi/395 km southwest of Baja California and 285 mi/460 km south of Cabo San Lazaro. The storm is moving northwest at approximately 8 mph/7 kt and has maximum sustained winds of approximately 50 mph/43 kt. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm is expected to make landfall on Baja California Sur north of Los Cabos late on 10 September or early on 11 September. The storm is expected to gradually weaken over the next 48 hours.
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| Tropical Storm Lowell formed off the coast of Baja Peninsula |
| 08 Sep 2008 |
| Tropical Storm Lowell formed off the coast of Baja Peninsula on 7 September 2008. As of 0900 UTC on 8 September, Lowell was located approximately 50 mi/80 km south-southeast of Socorro Island and 330 mi/530 km south of Baja California. The storm is moving west-northwest at 10 mph/8 kt and has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph/52 kt. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm is expected to make landfall in Baja California Sur on 11 or 12 September.
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| Marches against kidnapping will cause transport delays |
| 30 Aug 2008 |
| Marches against kidnapping will take place in cities throughout Mexico beginning at 1900 local time on 30 August 2008. The recent kidnapping and murder of Fernando Marti, the 14-year-old son of a wealthy businessman, has ignited a firestorm of controversy about the increasing number of kidnappings in the country. Marches are planned for dozens of cities, including Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Morelia, Cancun and Puebla. The protests will likely not result in violence; however, isolated confrontations between demonstrators and police officers are possible. Travellers should anticipate transportation delays. |
| Tropical Storm Julio hits the Baja Peninsula |
| 25 Aug 2008 |
| Tropical Storm Julio hit the Baja Peninsula on 24 August 2008. As of 0900 UTC on 25 August, the storm was located approximately 45 mi/70 km west-northwest of Loreto. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 46 mph/40 kt and is moving north-northwest at 15 mph/13 kt. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later on 25 August. The storm has produced significant rainfall over the southern Baja Peninsula and has caused some flooding. The storm also caused cancellations and delays at Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD/SJD) in San Jose del Cabo on 24 August; however, reports indicate that normal operations at the airport have since resumed.
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| Execution in Texas likely to lead to protests throughout Mexico |
| 05 Aug 2008 |
| The state of Texas will execute Jose Medellin, a Mexican national who was convicted of the rape and murder of two 15-year-old girls, on 5 August 2008. On 4 August Mexican protesters held rallies near the international bridges in Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa. Protesters will likely gather near the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and U.S. consulates in other Mexican cities. The issue has been highly controversial both in the United States and internationally. In 2005 the Bush administration requested that states reopen all cases involving Mexican nationals who were not given access to legal assistance from Mexican diplomats. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Bush administration exceeded its authority in making this request. The Mexican government filed a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court of Justice, which urged Texas to halt the executions of five Mexican nationals currently on death row.
Travellers should anticipate possible protests throughout Mexico.
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| Police guard hotels following confrontations between taxi drivers and tour van operators |
| 04 Aug 2008 |
| On 1 August 2008 authorities deployed approximately 200 federal police officers to guard hotels and van services in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas following several confrontations between taxi drivers and tour van operators. Reports indicate that taxi drivers forced several tour vans to stop or give up their passengers in recent weeks. On 2 August approximately 500 taxi drivers launched a 24-hour strike in response to the deployment of police officers. The taxi drivers protested in the Santa Anita area near Los Cabos International Airport (MMSD/SJD) at 1000 local time. There were no reports of confrontations on 3 August. The taxi drivers believe that the tour van operators are stealing their business. Federal authorities plan to meet with representatives of the taxi drivers on 7 August to discuss the issue. As the dispute has not yet been resolved, travelers should anticipate possible transportation disruptions. All private transportation companies in San Jose del Cabo are currently only providing arrival and departure transfer services to and from the airport and hotels. Private companies are not providing "as directed" services.
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| Hurricane Dolly causes extensive flooding |
| 24 Jul 2008 |
| Hurricane Dolly made landfall on South Padre Island in Texas as a Category 2 storm at 1300 local time on 23 July 2008. Dolly has since weakened to a tropical storm. As of 1200 UTC on 24 July, the storm was located approximately 50 mi/80 km east-southeast of Laredo, Texas and was moving west-northwest at 7 mph/6 kt with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph/43 kt. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm is expected to weaken as it moves farther inland over the next 48 hours. The storm has caused extensive flooding in parts of the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas and northeastern Mexico. In Mexico, the storm has caused extensive power outages in Matamoros, which is located across the border from Brownsville. The storm has also limited access to drinking water in the city. General Servando Canales International Airport (MMMA/MAM) in Matamoros, which did not sustain any damage during the hurricane, is closed until further notice.
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| Hurricane likey to cause flooding in north east Mexico |
| 23 Jul 2008 |
| Hurricane Dolly continues to move toward the Texas & Mexico border on 23 July 2008. As of 1300 UTC, the storm was located approximately 55 mi/89 km east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas. It is moving northwest at 8 mph/7 kt and has winds of 75 mph/65 kt with gusts up to 104 mph/90 kt. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Hurricane Dolly may reach Category 2 status before landfall, which is expected between 1000 and 1200 local time (1500 and 1700 UTC) on 23 July. Hurricane Dolly will weaken as it travels over the Rio Grande Valley. The hurricane will likely cause significant flooding in portions of South Texas and northeastern Mexico. The hurricane has shut down approximately 5 percent of oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.
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| Tropical Storm Dolly makes landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula |
| 21 Jul 2008 |
| Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the western Caribbean on 20 July 2008 and has made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, Dolly is expected to cross the Yucatan Peninsula and enter the Gulf of Mexico on 21 July. As of 0900 UTC on 21 July, the storm was approximately 150 mi/240 km east of Progreso. The storm is moving west-northwest at 15 mph/13 kt and has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph/43 kt. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the northern Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun. The storm will likely produce rainfall of 4 in/10 cm to 6 in/15 cm across the peninsula. The storm, which may strengthen to hurricane status on 22 July, is expected to eventually make landfall near the Texas-Mexico border on 24 July. |
| Cargo plane crashes on landing at Saltillo airport |
| 07 Jul 2008 |
| A USA Jet Airlines McDonnell-Douglas DC-9-15 cargo aircraft crashed near Plan de Guadalupe International Airport (MMIO/SLW) in Ramos Arizpe near Saltillo on 6 July 2008. The incident occurred at 0215 local time (0715 UTC) as the aircraft approached the airport. The weather was clear and the cause of the mishap is still unknown. The aircraft was on its way from Shreveport, Louisiana, and was carrying a load of auto parts. The pilot died and the co-pilot suffered severe burns. No injuries were reported on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed a team of investigators to assist Mexican authorities.
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| Taxi drivers to demonstrate at San Jose del Cabo airport |
| 25 Jun 2008 |
| Taxi drivers will stage a demonstration over a licensing dispute at Los Cabos International Airport in (MMSD/SJD) in San Jose del Cabo on 26 June 2008. Unconfirmed reports indicate that demonstrations will continue through the weekend of 29 June. The dispute stems from a recent Mexican Supreme Court ruling that only state governments have the power to license taxis. The decision has angered taxi drivers who want the licensing power to remain with the federal government. Travelers should anticipate possible transportation disruptions near the airport due to the protests. There is also concern that the protests may turn violent. Private transportation companies in San Jose del Cabo are currently only providing transfer services to and from scheduled destinations. Private companies are not providing “as directed” services.
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| Deadly stampede at Mexico disco |
| 23 Jun 2008 |
| At least 12 people have died in a stampede during a police raid on a packed nightclub in Mexico City. The capital's police chief said hundreds of youths marking the end of the school year had panicked when police raided the News Divine club. He said there had been a stampede by customers trying to escape. Three police officers were among the dead.
Police said they had been investigating reports that drugs and alcohol were being sold to under-age clubbers. At least 13 people were injured during the raid, police said.
Mexico City police chief Joel Ortega told Mexico's Televisa that the panic began when the club's owner announced that police officers were present. Mr Ortega said the venue had a single entrance and an emergency exit, which was blocked by cases of beer. "Many of the people concentrated at the club's emergency exit, but it was too small and it was there that people died of asphyxia," he said.
The police chief denied earlier reports in the media that police used tear gas. At least 500 people were in the club at the time, officials believe.
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| 8 arrested over grenade attacks |
| 20 Jun 2008 |
| On 19 June 2008 federal police officers arrested eight individuals allegedly involved in a grenade attack on the Ministry of Public Security in Guadalajara on 18 June. The attack killed one police officer and injured two others. There has been some speculation that the individuals who were arrested have links to a leader of a splinter faction of the Sinaloa cartel. The attack may have been in retaliation for a recent crackdown on organized crime groups in the state of Jalisco. Authorities have heightened security at government buildings in Guadalajara and elsewhere in the state of Jalisco. Police officers have established a security cordon on the streets near the ministry, including Libertad and 16 de Septiembre streets.
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