Germany and OAS director voice concerns about possible demonstrations, kidnappings and other violent crime, triggered by the upcoming Mexican elections of July 1…
The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned its citizens of an expected surge in violence in Mexico due to the 2018 General Election, in which the President of the Republic, members of the Congress, and state Governors will be elected.
Meanwhile, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, issued a statement expressing “concerns” about public safety in Mexico prior to the elections. (The OAS is a United Nations-like body encompassing many countries in the Americas.)
The German government document “Mexico: information on travels and security” (in German) states that given the increase of crimes such as robberies, kidnappings, and murders in broad daylight, and even territory disputes between organized crime groups, bystanders are at risk of being harmed.
Therefore, they urge German citizens to adhere to recommended behavior guidelines and take additional safety measures if needed. Moreover, they caution about protests which can lead to blockades of main avenues and warned travelers to avoid such areas, as political demonstrations may turn violent.
The document further cautions about the national disasters which have hit Mexico recently, such as the earthquakes of last February 18 and September 19, 2017, in addition to tropical storms and volcanic activity, urging tourists to follow the recommendations of local authorities.
Sources: El Universal and other media reports
