US Suspends Consular Services in Mexicali Amid Security Concerns

POLICY WIRE — Mexicali, Mexico — The United States government has issued a travel advisory for American citizens intending to visit Mexicali, a major city in northern Mexico. This alert comes alongside a temporary halt in consular operations within the city, prompted by an unspecified potential threat.

The announcement, made public on Monday evening, cited the existence of a “threat” as the reason for suspending both consular services and travel to Mexicali, the capital of Baja California state, which shares a border with Calexico, California.

Details regarding the nature of the threat or its target were not disclosed by the U.S. government. However, it urged its nationals to steer clear of government buildings, find shelter if an incident occurs, and stay vigilant about their surroundings.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum commented on the situation during her regular morning press conference on Tuesday. She revealed that the alert was issued due to the “possibility of a criminal group” and that the information was sourced from U.S. agencies.

Sheinbaum emphasized that there was no additional information about the specifics of the alert but advised maintaining a state of alertness and increased surveillance in Mexicali.

Despite the alert, Mexicali remained peaceful throughout Tuesday. Later in the day, Sheinbaum\’s security cabinet issued a statement indicating that no specific or imminent risk to the public had been identified. However, as a precautionary step, authorities had enhanced surveillance and patrols in the city.

In a related development, Mexican and U.S. authorities announced that Mexican security forces, with intelligence support from the DEA, had conducted an operation to confiscate drugs and weapons from a criminal organization known as “Los Rusos.”

U.S. Northern Command confirmed on X that Mexican authorities were working to identify, disrupt, and dismantle cartel operations that pose a threat to the United States along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Around midnight, Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila communicated via her X account that Mexican authorities were continuing their efforts and would reinforce security operations in the state capital.

Mexicali, home to over a million residents, is one of the most populous cities along the Mexican border. Its strategic importance is underscored by its strong commercial and social connections with Calexico.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)