The Mexican government is once again at odds with that of Texas, which on Tuesday warned travelers not to venture across the border into Mexico, citing the danger of cartel violence.
Yesterday, the Secretariat of External Relations (SRE) described the warning as irresponsible.
โIt constitutes an unacceptable generalizationโ and is far from standard international practice in which central governments act in a responsible manner, said the SRE in a prepared statement.
โThe chancellery,โ it continued, โhas reiterated on many occasions its position that announcements of this nature must always be specific, with information that is precise and in context and in the end is truly useful and avoids generalizations.โ
The secretariat issued a reminder that Mexico is the most popular international destination for American travelers, who totaled more than 25 million last year.
On Tuesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety advised travelers โ particularly students โ to avoid visiting Mexico, although it conceded that Mexican authorities have made advances in combating drug cartels. But it warned of the unpredictable nature of drug gang violence.
Texas authorities have issued similar warnings in the past about spring break travel south of the border.
Its government has also had words before with authorities in Mexico. The stateโs deployment of National Guard troops to patrol the border last August earned a sharp rebuke from President Peรฑa Nieto and precipitated some strong comments from Texas in response.
Spring break travelers to Mexico in 2012 numbered nearly 77,000, according to estimates by the Secretariat of Tourism. The most popular destinations are Cancรบn, Cabo San Lucas, San Felipe, Rosarito, Acapulco, Mazatlรกn and Puerto Vallarta, among others.
Source: El Universal (sp)
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