Mexico Violence Creates New Safety Worries

By
E.J. Smith - Your Survival Guy
-
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. By Alonso Reyes @ Adobe Stock

The violence in the popular vacation destination Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, should give pause to anyone planning to travel to an area of the world with less-than-100% control by the government of that nation.

Are you prepared to face instability on vacation? If you’re traveling in a high-risk area, the State Department has some suggestions before you go:

Click Here for Survive and Thrive
  • Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
  • Develop a communication plan with your loved ones. Make sure you have a phone or other smart device(s) that will work in your destination. Use your device to share your location with your trusted friends and family while you are abroad.
  • Share important documents, logins, and contacts with loved ones before you travel. They will need them if you cannot return to the United States as planned.
  • Discuss a plan with loved ones about care and custody of children and property. Draft a will and name appropriate insurance beneficiaries and power of attorney.
  • Make a personal security plan with your employer or host organization. You may want to consider consulting a professional security organization.
  • Identify key sources that may be able to help in case of an emergency. These may include the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate(opens in a new tab), the FBI(opens in a new tab), and the State Department’s Office of American Citizen Services. They may also include your employer and local friends and family in the high-risk area.
  • Appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact if you are taken hostage or detained. Set up a proof-of-life protocol. If you become a hostage, that person will know what questions to ask and answers to expect. This will help them be sure that you are alive.
  • Leave DNA samples with your medical provider and dental records with your family in case it is necessary for your family to access them to identify your remains.
  • Erase sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media pages. Do the same for your cameras, laptops, and other devices. The materials could be seen as controversial or provocative by local groups.
  • Leave your expensive or sentimental belongings behind.
  • Make sure your U.S. passport(opens in a new tab) and any other critical documents have not expired.

Action Line: Be careful wherever you travel, but if you’re traveling in an area with known criminal activity, you must be even better prepared.

The videos below depict the current situation in Puerto Vallarta. Some of the images are graphic.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR