WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department extended its travel warning for Mexico, citing a high level of drug- and gang-related violence.
The warning, issued Thursday, said six Mexican states -- Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango and Coahuila -- were particularly dangerous and advised U.S. citizens "residing or traveling in those areas to exercise extreme caution."
The State Department said the warning supersedes one issued in April.
Also extended was "the authorized departure of family members" of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros.
Mexican government officials said last month more than 22,700 people have been killed in drug-related violence since December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon declared war on narco-traffickers.
"While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens, as well," the State Department warning said.
Much of the recent violence has taken place in northern Mexico, were two drug cartels have been waging a pitched war since January, CNN said. Earlier this year, U.S. officials were forced to temporarily close the consulate in Reynosa in Tamaulipas state.
