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Schools Warn Against Mexico Spring Break

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 23, 2009 4:30 PM CST
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(Newser) – Arizona’s three state universities are following the State Department and attempting to dissuade students from spending spring break in Mexican border towns, a traditional pastime, because of drug-associated violence there, the AP reports. One federal official called the warning “sage advice,” noting “documented violence, attacks, killings” and gunfire in public places. “Innocent people have been caught up in that collateral damage,” he said.

Students, 100,000 of whom flock from the US to Mexico every year, were nonchalant. “When I think of Mexico I don’t really think of the violence issue because usually when you’re in a resort area,” said one, who nonetheless is spending break in Las Vegas. “I feel most of the violence is in Texas,” said another student planning to drive south for break.

Tourists look from a bus as it drives past a car with the body of an unidentified man who was shot in the city of Acapulco, Mexico.
Tourists look from a bus as it drives past a car with the body of an unidentified man who was shot in the city of Acapulco, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
A man sits dead inside his car after being shot in Acapulco, Mexico.
A man sits dead inside his car after being shot in Acapulco, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
US students prepare to make a toast in a hotel pool in Acapulco, Mexico.
US students prepare to make a toast in a hotel pool in Acapulco, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
Students have fun during Spring Break 2008 at the Cocobongo nightclub in Cancun, Mexico.
Students have fun during Spring Break 2008 at the Cocobongo nightclub in Cancun, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
Students on spring break cheer during a wet t-shirt contest at Cancun beach.
Students on spring break cheer during a wet t-shirt contest at Cancun beach.   (AP Photo)
Police and forensic workers carry two bodies of people killed after a drug gang kidnapped and killed six people in Villa Ahumada, on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, northern Mexico.
Police and forensic workers carry two bodies of people killed after a drug gang kidnapped and killed six people in Villa Ahumada, on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, northern Mexico.   (AP Photo)
A man with gunshot wounds lies dead on a street as people look on from behind police tape in Tijuana, Mexico.
A man with gunshot wounds lies dead on a street as people look on from behind police tape in Tijuana, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Shannonals
Feb 25, 2009 2:47 AM CST
Any student who goes to Mexico this Spring break gets anything that comes to them. Being forewarned to avoid a country is more than a hint and a half
Forderon
Feb 25, 2009 1:17 AM CST
Trust me, I'm aware that most Americans don't realize the nature of war and crime, but there's no need to publish a photo like that without a disclaimer. If we keep doing this, eventually we'll DE-sensitize ourselves to it, which would be an even worse problem.
BlahBlahBlah
Feb 24, 2009 4:36 AM CST
Violence is everywhere if you want to go to places like that, so be it. However, dont bitch when you see your freinds brains on the floor. Not all places are like the suburbs.

Arizonans may have alternatives ... but Minnesotans?
MSNBC

Last year in New Orleans, little violence, lots of work for spring breakers
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

On the violence's effect on Mexico's image
Christian Science Monitor

 
War on Drugs • Mexico • Arizona • Mexican border • University of Arizona • Mexican drug war • gang violence • Tijuana • drug cartel • spring break • Ciudad Juarez • Nogales

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