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 Travel & Outdoors | January 2007 
U.S. Government Downgrades Travel Advisory for Mexican State of Oaxaca
 Associated Press
| | Tourists are trickling back to the Mexican city known for charm, not violence |
The U.S. government downgraded its travel warning for Mexico's troubled southern state of Oaxaca, saying Americans should simply "use caution" in the region instead of avoiding it altogether.
Oaxaca City, the state's picturesque capital which is popular with Mexican and foreign tourists alike, was beset by six months of unrest and clashes that killed at least nine people last year, as numerous protest groups demanded the ouster of the state Gov. Ulises Ruiz.
The city has largely returned to normal since it was occupied by federal and state police in November, but Ruiz has refused to resign and groups opposed to him still launch occasional protests.
"Though progress towards resolving the tensions in Oaxaca is being made, the situation remains unsettled," U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said in a statement Wednesday. "New demonstrations and potentially violent confrontations remain possible, and U.S. citizens should keep themselves apprised of the political situation in Oaxaca before considering travel to the area."
The advisory replaces a previous one from November that advised citizens to avoid traveling to Oaxaca.
The statement also urged Mexican authorities to resolve the fatal shooting of independent journalist Bradley Roland Will, 36, of New York, who was killed in Oaxaca City in October while filming a clash between protesters and a group of armed men.
"The investigation of Mr. Will's death so far has not produced any arrests or prosecutions, and we remain concerned about the lack of progress in the investigation," Garza said. "We continue to urge Mexican authorities to bring to justice the individuals responsible for Mr. Will's death." |
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