On Friday, Mexico's Government Secretariat launched a special operation to accommodate an influx of U.S.-based Mexicans visiting their homeland for the Easter holidays.

Close to 300,000 Mexicans living in the United States are expected to arrive for Holy Week, the secretariat said in a statement. Authorities will provide help and information on reliable travel routes, places to rest and relax, and places where medical, mechanical and touristic aid can be obtained, the official note said.

The operation that began Friday will remain in effect until April 28. It will have 870 observers, will cover 132 cities and municipalities, and will distribute 600,000 copies of the Guia Paisana (Countryman's Guide), which contains much worthwhile information on the facilites and services being made available.

In order to further promote the campaign, the value of merchandise that will be allowed across the border duty-free will be raised from $300 to $500. There is also an app to access the Guia Paisano on smartphones.