Criminal JusticeImmigration & BorderIssuesTexas State Police: ‘Avoid Travel to Mexico at This Time’ After Two Americans Murdered

Austin, TX, March 13, 2023 — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) warned the public to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break on account of cartel violence, which claimed the lives of two Americans last week.

Col. Steven McCraw, director of DPS, commented on the cartel aspect of the public safety risk.

“Drug cartel violence and other criminal activity represent a significant safety threat to anyone who crosses into Mexico right now,” McCraw said in a DPS news release. “We have a duty to inform the public about safety, travel risks and threats. Based on the volatile nature of cartel activity and the violence we are seeing there; we are urging individuals to avoid travel to Mexico at this time.”

DPS also pointed out that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) advised against travel to certain Mexican states in a recent bulletin. Americans should avoid going to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas, per DOS.

Additionally, the federal government encourages U.S. residents to “reconsider” travel to most other listed locations in Mexico. Either crime or risk of kidnapping or both was the reason provided for each warning.

The warnings follow the murders of two men from South Carolina, Zindell Brown and Shaeed Woodard, during a trip to Matamoros, Tamaulipas last week. Two others traveling with them, Latavia McGee and Eric Williams, were found alive after being abducted with Brown and Woodard.

Mexican prosecutors reportedly said the Gulf Cartel is responsible for the crimes and ostensibly “apologized” in a note left at the scene and with five men tied up, who were later charged.