Students Warned About Mexican Violence

Urged To Use Extreme Caution If Heading There For Spring Break, With Drug Cartels At War

(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.

[twoblondiesmommy]

SHAME ON YOU CBS!!!! Check your facts!!!! The voilence is 2000+ miles away from Cancun stop reporting for ratings and start sharing the FACTS

[LuPatty]

Violence? Excuse me, but there's violence everywhere. Not only in Mexico.
But it's OK, we don't want spring breakers to come to Mexico. This article is right, they're in danger, but not because of the drug wars. They're in danger because everytime they come they drown themselves in so much alcohol and drugs, that it's actually killed spring breakers. I live in a tourist destination, Mazatlan, and it's terrible to have them here. They trash hotel rooms, they're way too messy and loud, they walk naked around pools and have no respect for other tourists, including other American tourists that come with their families.
This person from the University of Arizona is right, their health and safety is priority. So yes, they should stay there, in their homes. Do parents actually know what their kids are doing down here?
They should do a report on spring breakers and their craziness. Now that is dangerous.