It’s Official: Mexico Goes to Sh!t

A friend in the Armed Forces passed me the following message this morning.  I can’t otherwise vouch for its authenticity, except to say that it seems too elaborate to be a hoax.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY.

MSGID/GENADMIN/HQ USNORTHCOM//

POC/ USNORTHCOM J34/TEL COMM 719-554-8307 OR 3897/DSN 692/ NC.J34.RM.OMB@NORTHCOM.[SMIL.]MIL//

1. (U) THIS MESSAGE ISSUES A USNORTHCOM TRAVEL DIRECTIVE FOR MEXICO. IT SUPERSEDES AND RESCINDS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED GUIDANCE AND ADVISORIES (REFS B, D, AND E) AND AMPLIFIES PREVIOUSLY ISSUED GUIDANCE (REFS A AND C). THIS MESSAGE APPLIES TO ALL DOD PERSONNEL OVER WHICH COMMANDER USNORTHCOM HAS FORCE PROTECTION RESPONSIBILITY IAW THE UNIFIED COMMAND PLAN (UCP) AND IS VALID UNTIL 15 MAY 2010.

1.A. (U) CURRENT SITUATION UPDATE.

1.A.1. (U//FOUO) WORSENING VIOLENCE AND INSECURITY IN NORTHERN MEXICO HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FABRIC IN TOWNS AND CITIES LIKE CIUDAD JUAREZ, NUEVO LAREDO, MONTERREY AND REYNOSA. THE URBAN CENTERS HAVE BECOME BATTLEGROUNDS IN A NEW ROUND OF CARTEL-ON-CARTEL VIOLENCE. THE FEAR OF BECOMING A STATISTIC OF 'COLLATERAL DAMAGE' IN CARTEL FIREFIGHTS AND TARGETED KILLINGS HAS CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR.

1.A.2. (U//FOUO) ON 13 MARCH, 2010 PRESUMED (REFER TO PARA 1.C. BELOW) MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL HIT TEAMS FIRED ON US CONSULATE GENERAL CIUDAD JUAREZ VEHICLES IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS IN CIUDAD JUAREZ RESULTING IN THREE FATALITIES (TWO AMERICAN CITIZENS AND ONE MEXICAN CITIZEN). BOTH VEHICLES LEFT THE SAME CONSULATE GENERAL SOCIAL EVENT BEFORE BEING ATTACKED. AN AMERICAN CITIZEN CONSULATE EMPLOYEE AND HER HUSBAND WERE KILLED IN ONE LOCATION (ONE CHILD SURVIVED UNHARMED) AND A MEXICAN CONSULATE GENERAL WORKER TRAVELING WITH HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN (ALL THREE WOUNDED) WAS KILLED IN THE OTHER LOCATION. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

1.B. (U) ON 14 MARCH 2010, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE ISSUED A MEXICO TRAVEL WARNING (REF F) THAT SUPERSEDES THE 22 FEBRUARY 2010 TRAVEL ALERT UPDATING THE PREVIOUSLY ISSUED INFORMATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING TO AND LIVING IN MEXICO. THE CURRENT TRAVEL WARNING INFORMS U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING TO AND LIVING IN MEXICO OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE SECURITY SITUATION IN MEXICO, AND THAT IT HAS AUTHORIZED THE DEPARTURE OF THE DEPENDENTS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL FROM U.S. CONSULATES IN THE NORTHERN MEXICAN BORDER CITIES OF TIJUANA, NOGALES, CIUDAD JUAREZ, NUEVO LAREDO, MONTERREY AND MATAMORAS UNTIL APRIL 12. DUE TO RECENT VIOLENT ATTACKS THE U.S. EMBASSY CONTINUES TO URGE U.S. CITIZENS TO DELAY UNNECESSARY TRAVEL TO PARTS OF DURANGO, COAHUILA AND CHIHUAHUA STATES AND TO ADVISE U.S. CITIZENS RESIDING OR TRAVELING IN THOSE AREAS TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION.

1.C. (U) USNORTHCOM CONCURS WITH THE SECURITY ASSESSMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAVEL WARNING AND HAS NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OF DIRECT TARGETING AGAINST DOD PERSONNEL. THE HIGH CRIME RATE AND ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE BY THE DRUG CARTELS CONTINUES TO BE OF CONCERN; BOTH OF WHICH MAY INDISCRIMINATELY THREATEN THE WELL-BEING OF DOD TRAVELERS IN MEXICO.

1.D. (U) THIS FP DIRECTIVE MAY BE AMENDED OR RESCINDED PENDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE U.S. EMBASSY EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE.

2. (U) THREAT LEVELS AND FORCE PROTECTION CONDITIONS.

2.A. (U) DIA WORLDWIDE THREAT LEVELS FOR MEXICO: TERRORISM THREAT ASSESSMENT- LOW, CRIME ASSESSMENT- HIGH.

2.B. (U) FPCON BASELINE FOR MEXICO REMAINS UNCHANGED AT BRAVO. NO TRAVELER OR DEPLOYED UNIT FPCON MEASURES HAVE BEEN DIRECTED.

3. (U) TRAVEL DIRECTIVE.

3.A. (U) DUE TO THE ONGOING VIOLENCE ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER AND THE RECENT KILLING OF THREE AMERICAN CITIZENS IN CIUDAD JUAREZ ALL NON-OFFICIAL TRAVEL (LEAVE AND PASS) IS PROHIBITED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE TO THE STATE OF CHIHUAHUA; STATE OF DURANGO; AND THE CITIES OF NOGALES, PIEDRAS NEGRAS, NUEVO LAREDO, MONTERREY AND MATAMORAS. OFFICIAL DOD TRAVEL TO THESE AREAS IS LIMITED TO MISSION ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. GRANTING OF PERMISSION TO ALLOW SERVICE MEMBERS OR DOD EMPLOYEES TO RESIDE IN MEXICO REMAINS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SERVICE COMPONENTS, DEFENSE AGENCIES AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO THIS POLICY, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR EXCEPTION ARE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS. EMERGENCY TRAVEL MAY BE AUTHORIZED UPON APPROVAL OF COMMANDERS/DIRECTORS OF SERVICE COMPONENTS, DEFENSE AGENCIES, AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES PER PARAGRAPH 3.C. BELOW.

3.B. (U) THIS TRAVEL DIRECTIVE APPLIES TO ALL ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVE COMPONENT PERSONNEL IN TITLE 10 STATUS. USNORTHCOM ENCOURAGES DEPENDANTS, DOD CONTRACTORS, AND DOD CIVILIANS TO ABIDE BY THE TRAVEL PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED.

3.C. (U) EXCEPTIONS: SERVICE COMPONENTS, DEFENSE AGENCIES AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES WILL DEVELOP A PROCESS TO APPROVE EMERGENCY NON-OFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL TRAVEL TO MEXICO AT A LEVEL OF COMMAND DEEMED APPROPRIATE TO THEIR ORGANIZATION.

3.D. (U) OFFICIAL TRAVEL REQUESTS. THE APPROVING AUTHORITY FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL SHALL BE NAMED IN THE REMARKS SECTION OF THE APACS THEATER CLEARANCE REQUEST ALONG WITH THE APPROVAL JUSTIFICATION. DISAPPROVAL OR ABSENCE OF APPROVAL BY ANY CLEARANCE-GRANTING AUTHORITY CONSTITUTES DENIAL OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER THE RESTRICTED AREAS. LEAD TIME FOR THEATER CLEARANCE REQUESTS IS 14 DAYS.

4. (U) USNORTHCOM SERVICE COMPONENTS, DEFENSE AGENCIES AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITIES ARE DIRECTED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY OF ALL PERSONNEL LIVING IN OR TRAVELING TO MEXICO. PROVIDE A REPORT OF ALL UNACCOUNTED PERSONNEL TO THE NORAD-USNORTHCOM COMMAND CENTER WITHIN 72 HOURS OF MESSAGE RELEASE.

5. (U) USNORTHCOM AOR TRAVEL POLICY.

5.A. (U) PREVIOUSLY ISSUED GUIDANCE (REF A) REMAINS IN EFFECT AND AS SUPPLEMENTED BY (REF C). THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL COCOM DIRECTED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE. USNORTHCOM HAS NOT DIRECTED SUBORDINATE COMMANDS TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL TRAVEL LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS BEYOND PARAGRAPH 3.A ABOVE; HOWEVER, THIS COMMAND REMAINS SUPPORTIVE OF ANY SUBORDINATE COMMANDERS ACTION TO INITIATE ADDITIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DEEMED PRUDENT. SUBORDINATE COMMANDS ARE REMINDED OF THE REQUIREMENT TO NOTIFY THIS HEADQUARTERS OF ANY RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED.

5.B. (U) FOREIGN CLEARANCE PROGRAM. COMMANDERS AT ALL LEVELS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE TRAVEL PROCEDURES IN PLACE TO ENSURE THEIR PERSONNEL TRAVELING FOR OFFICIAL OR NON-OFFICIAL PURPOSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FOREIGN CLEARANCE MANUAL (REF G). PARTICULAR EMPHASIS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS; SPECIFICALLY, IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIALS, CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR NON-OFFICIAL TRAVEL.

6. (U) TRAVEL ADVISORY.

6.A. (U) COMMANDERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO REVIEW EXISTING POLICIES REGARDING TRAVEL FOR BOTH OFFICIAL AND NON-OFFICIAL PURPOSES TO ALL OTHER AREAS OF MEXICO AND CONSIDER IMPOSING LIMITATIONS ON TRAVEL TO MEXICO UNTIL THE SECURITY SITUATION IMPROVES.

6.B. (U) OFFICIAL TRAVEL TO AREAS OTHER THAN SPECIFIED IN PARA 3.A ABOVE. COMMANDERS SHOULD IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES TO ENSURE OFFICIAL TRAVELERS REVIEW CURRENT TRAVEL ALERT AND FOREIGN CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS, ENSURE CONTACT PLANS ARE DEVELOPED AND REHEARSED WITH IN-COUNTRY HOSTS, COORDINATE FOR AN IN-COUNTRY THREAT BRIEF AND PERIODIC THREAT UPDATES, AND REVIEW IN-COUNTRY FP ACTIONS SHOULD THE THREAT ENVIRONMENT AND FP CONDITIONS CHANGE.

6.C. (U) NON-OFFICIAL TRAVEL TO AREAS OTHER THAN SPECIFIED IN PARA 3.A ABOVE. DOD MEMBERS TRAVELING FOR PERSONAL ACTIVITIES AND WITH NO OFFICIAL IN-COUNTRY HOSTS CONTINUE TO BE A CONCERN DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR BEING VICTIMS OF INDISCRIMINANT OR TARGETED ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME. WHILE THIS CONCERN SHOULD NOT BE THE SOLE REASON TO INVOKE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, IT SHOULD PROMPT ACTIONS TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ENSURING PERSONNEL UNDERSTAND THE RISK AND ARE BEST PREPARED FOR TRAVEL. IMPOSITION OF TRAVEL LIMITATIONS (I.E., CURFEWS, BUDDY RULES, AND BOUNDARIES) SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR IMPLEMENTATION, IF NOT ALREADY DONE SO. RECOMMEND THE CONTINUANCE OF FORMAL PROCEDURES TO APPROVE/DENY TRAVEL, PROVIDE PRE-TRAVEL BRIEFS, PREPARE INDIVIDUAL AT PLANS, AND REQUIRE CHECK-IN/OUT CONTACT.

6.D. (U) DOD CIVILIANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW COMPONENT, DOD, AND USNORTHCOM AT GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY AND SECURITY.

7. (U) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SOURCES FOR ACQUIRING CLASSIFIED AND UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION PERTINENT TO ASSESSING TRAVEL RISKS AND DEVELOPING FP PLANS. MANY OF THESE LINKS MAY BE FOUND ON THE USNORTHCOM TRAVEL PAGE, HTTPS://OPERATIONS.NORADNORTHCOM.MIL/SITES/NCJ3/NCJ34/DEFAULT.ASPX.

8. (U) USNORTHCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS GUIDANCE IS PASSIVE, RESPOND TO QUERY ONLY. COMMANDERS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS MAY USE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. QUOTE: RECENT VIOLENT ATTACKS HAVE CAUSED THE U.S. EMBASSY IN MEXICO TO URGE U.S. CITIZENS TO DELAY UNNECESSARY TRAVEL TO PARTS OF DURANGO, COAHUILA AND CHIHUAHUA STATES AND TO ADVISE U.S. CITIZENS RESIDING OR TRAVELING IN THOSE AREAS TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION. END QUOTE. AS A PRUDENT MEASURE, THE COMMANDER, U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND HAS RECOMMENDED THAT SUBORDINATE COMMANDERS REVIEW THEIR EXISTING POLICIES AND CONSIDER IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL TO MEXICO FOR THEIR PERSONNEL. U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND WILL CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL. END QUOTE. LOCAL COMMANDERS MAY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THIS MESSAGE REGARDING THIS SITUATION TO THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA AS NECESSARY. MEDIA QUERIES BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS GUIDANCE SHOULD BE REFERRED TO USNORTHCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT (719) 554-6889//

AKNLDG/YES//

GENTEXT/AUTHENTICATION/USNORTHCOM OFFICIAL: CC//GEN RENUART/

BT

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