The U.S. Consulate General in Hermosillo continues to receive reports of armed carjackings, gunshots, security force operations, roadblocks, burned vehicles, and closed roads in the vicinity of Culiacán in the state of Sinaloa, including Federal Highway 15 Culiacán-Mazatlán and other major roads.
It was reported that U.S. citizens have been victims of robberies and armed robberies along Federal Highway 15. The U.S. Consulate General reminds U.S. citizens that Sinaloa is classified as Level 4: Do Not Travel on the State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico. Culiacán, the Mazatlán-Culiacán highway, and Mazatlán are in this Level 4 area due to widespread crime and criminal organizations that are based and operating in the state of Sinaloa.
Additionally, media sources report that schools have reopened as of this writing, but have been closed or moved to online-only with little notice due to gun violence. Some universities in Mazatlán have canceled evening classes or moved evening classes to virtual instruction until November 1, 2024.
U.S. citizens present in Sinaloa or planning to travel there should remain alert to potential violence throughout the state and avoid any non-essential travel there, including the Culiacán-Mazatlán federal highway. U.S. citizens in need of emergency services should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Meanwhile, the government of Canada warned its citizens about “violent clashes between rival armed groups” in Culiacán, Mazatlán, and surrounding areas.
The advisory goes on to say that continued gunfire has been reported, as well as armed groups “stopping vehicles on the highway.”
Source: informador
