Students Warned About Mexican Violence

(CBS)  Spring Break is approaching for college students, but those pondering traveling to Mexico for the vacation are being told to think twice.

In years past, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker, the break has been filled with sounds of revelry in Mexico's border towns.

But now, a very different sound is echoing through those city streets: the sound of gunfire, with Mexico's five major drug cartels at war.

"I think half of my friends aren't going," one student told Whitaker, "because they say they're scared; they don't want to get killed."

"Students' health and safety is a top priority for us," says the University of Arizona'a Karen Moses, "and so, we always are encouraging them to take steps to insure their personal safety, no matter where they are."

The State Department says that, during a typical Spring Break, over 100,000 American teenagers and young adults travel to Mexico's resort areas.

But, Whitaker points out, things may be different this year.

"I don't think it's safe," one University of Arizona student in Phoenix remarked. "It's just not something I wanna do."

The University of Arizona has issued a warning: "Increased levels of violence make it imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico."

"It's really scary. My parents don't want me to go," one student says.

"But I already paid, so I'm going," said another.

The State Department has also issued a warning, saying, "U.S. citizens are urged to be alert to safety and security concerns when visiting the border region. Criminals are armed with a wide array of sophisticated weapons."

"Anybody traveling in Mexico needs to use as much common sense as they can bring to the table," observes Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.

As Whitaker put it, "Spring Break in Mexico used to be a rite of passage for college students. But now that rite -- might be the wrong choice.

[JakeSurf]

A friend called me form Acapulco and says everything is cool and that she didnt know there was any trouble. All the areas packed with tourists have no problem.

[opedanderson]

This is such BS!

Of course its bad. But it is because of the President cracking down on the gangs and they are feeling the pinch. He is determined to clean this mess up.

Cancun is fine. If you listened to the State Dept. you wouldn't go anywhere but your local Walmart.

The whole Yucatan is very safe, clean and lots of fun.......

The violence is far away. It would be like not going to Orlando for a vacation because of the drug violence in Atlanta.

[kmnmm]

I have a trip planned to Cancun March 19th. How will this affect me?

[mmdevine]

So I shouldn't plan to go on my honeymoon in Cancun this October? Grrreeat~

[ritah74]

Thank you very much for clarifying. We are going for our anniversary and Now I am happy to hear that it does not effect Cancun area Thanks so much

[licnet]

HEY,
IM AFRAID THAT THESE RECKLESS PEOPLE ON TV DONT CARE OF MAKE THINGS CLEAR ABOUT WHICH MEXICAN CITIES ARE UNDER DRUG DEALERS VIOLENCE...

OF COURSE THERE'S A BLOODIED VIOLENCE WITHIN CERTAIN MEXICAN CITIES, BUT THAT VIOLENCE ISNT SCATTERED ON THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

NOW I SHARE WITH YOU THE ONLY DANGEROUS MEXICAN STATES, WHERE THE DRUG CARTELS WAR IS TAKING PLACE:

-- SINALOA
-- CIUDAD JUAREZ AND CHIHUAHUA CITY.
-- TIJUANA
-- REYNOSA, TAMAULIPAS.
--MICHOACAN.

IT COULD BE POSSIBLE AN ISOLATED VIOLENCE OCCUR IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, BUT I THINK THE ODDS ARE THE SAME AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT JIHADISTS ATTACKS ON THE U.S.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

[rushlimpdrug]

Posted by ritah74 at 8:38 AM

I was in Cozumel not to long ago.

I was STRONGLY advised to stay away from Cancun.

Don't know if it was good advice, but I didn't go to avoid any trouble.

These places were great when the were native, but drugs and money
apparently make for a bad mix.

[ritah74]

Does this also include the resorts in Cancun? I am leaving MArch 12th - 21 for a trip to Cancun