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Public Announcements
  • Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Heightened Alert Status in Colima January 09, 2013

    The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara recommends American Citizens defer non-essential travel to areas of the state of Colima that border the state of Michoacan, including the city of Tecoman. You should also exercise caution when travelling to other parts of the state, including the towns of Colima city and Manzanillo. The security situation along the Michoacan border continues to be the most unstable with shootouts occurring between rival criminal groups and with Mexican authorities. Homicides throughout the state have risen sharply in 2012.  

  • Final Opportunities to Return Voted Ballots, October 25, 2012

    Embassies and consulates are not polling places. The majority of states require voted ballots to reach local election officials by the close of polls on Tuesday, November 6. U.S. citizens who want to participate in the 2012 U.S. elections should already have returned their absentee ballots to their local election officials. U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places; same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States. 

  • Completing and Returning Absentee Ballots, October 1, 2012

    Absentee ballots already delivered to overseas voters. Every U.S. citizen who requested an absentee ballot and selected the fax or email delivery option should have it by now. Please vote and take steps to return your voted ballot promptly so your vote will count. See instructions below. 

  • Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens, September 06, 2012

    The State of Jalisco has declared a heightened security alert status following Mexican military/police operations near the Providencia and Valle Real communities in Guadalajara. The Consulate recommends that all American citizens take precautions and be vigilant to news reports regarding events in the state of Jalisco until the situation returns to normal.  

  • Heightened Alert Status in Jalisco and Colima, August 26, 2012

    The State of Jalisco continues to maintain a heightened alert status in response to recent illegal blockades. 

  • Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens, August 25, 2012

    The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara has received information about blockades in several areas of Guadalajara, including the Periferico at Tutelar and Periferico at Lopez Mateos, and near the airport. There are reports of blockades in other areas of the state, including along the highway between the airport and Chapala.  

  • Message to U.S. Citizens: Caution - Grandparent Scam; Aug 07, 2012

    In recent months, USCG Guadalajara has received reports from victims of “Grandparent Scams,” where elderly family members residing in the U.S. are phoned and informed that their relative, usually an adult grandchild, niece, or nephew has been arrested overseas and needs financial assistance to be wired as soon as possible. USCG Guadalajara encourages American citizens to pass information regarding this scam to family members in the U.S. who may be targeted. Visit the State Department’s website for more information on the Grandparent Scam and other International Financial Scams. 

  • Security Message for U.S. Citizens: World Wide Caution, July 19, 2012

    The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated January 24, 2012, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide. 

  • Security Message for U.S. Citizens, June 12, 2012

    The U.S. Embassy alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing in Mexico to the enhanced potential for violence related to today’s arrests of Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) associates and family members residing in the United States.  

  • Hurricane and Typhoon Season 2012; June 06, 2012

    The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the hurricane and typhoon seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommend that those in hurricane- and typhoon-prone regions begin preparations for the upcoming seasons now. This Travel Alert expires on December 01, 2012. 

  • Hurricane "BUD", May 24, 2012

    This emergency message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC, www.nhc.noaa.gov) forecasts Hurricane Bud, currently a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, is approaching Mexico’s Pacific coast. 

  • Safety Practices & Situational Awareness, May 18, 2012

    The following basic security tips are being repeated as a reminder: Situational Awareness: Always be on the look-out for any suspicious or violent activity occurring near your home, your vehicle, and your family. If any suspicious or violent activity is observed, please move away from the threat and report specific information immediately to local police. 

  • Security Message for U.S. Citizens: UPDATE OF SECURITY MESSAGE, March 10, 2012

    Following yesterday’s major disturbances, there was no significant activity overnight and the Consulate is lifting its recommendation for American Citizens to shelter in place. The Consulate believes it is safe for American Citizens to go about their normal activities in Guadalajara, but recommends everyone exercise increased caution, particularly when traveling outside the city. The Consulate reminds all American Citizens of its standing guidance to use “cuota” (toll) highways whenever possible and avoid intercity travel after dark.  

  • Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens UPDATE OF EMERGENCY MESSAGE March 09 2012

    This is a follow-up message regarding unfolding events in Guadalajara. In addition to our earlier message today regarding events which began sometime after 2:00 pm in Guadalajara, the Consulate has learned of the following security incidents at Colonia Lomas Alta behind the Plaza Mexico, and illegal blockades at the following locations: 

  • Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Urgent Security Information, March 09, 2012

    The Consulate has received initial reports of several fairly significant narco-related events around Guadalajara, in the areas near Plaza Mexico, downtown, and at an unspecified location on the Periferico. Our recommendation to all American citizens stay put while we gather more information. Anyone on the road should continue directly to the nearest safe area and stay put. As we develop more information we will share it with you.  

  • Message for U.S. Citizens:New IRS Form For Overseas Taxpayers, March 8, 2012

    This message is being sent to inform U.S. taxpayers living in Mexico about a new information reporting form that taxpayers will use starting this tax filing season to report specified foreign financial assets for tax year 2011. The Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) should be filed by taxpayers with specific types and amounts of foreign financial assets or foreign accounts. It is important for taxpayers to determine whether they are subject to this new requirement because the law imposes significant penalties for failing to comply. 

  • Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Virtual Kidnappings

    This security message is being sent to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Mexico about a scam involving telephonic kidnapping threats. There have been numerous cases reported involving U.S. families living in Mexico as well as among the ex-pat community where family members in the U.S. have been called and told their loved one in Mexico has been kidnapped. Due to the pervasiveness of these scams, it is important to be aware of how they work and what can be done to stop them.  

  • Travel Warning for Mexico, February 8, 2012

    The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico. General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately below. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below. 

  • Worldwide Caution, January 25, 2012

    The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated July 26, 2011, to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide. 

  • Security Update & Travel Policy, September 22, 2011

    All U.S. Consulate employees are hereby informed the Emergency Action Committee met and revised the travel policy for U.S. Government employees and families in Guadalajara’s consular district with this change: 

  • Warden Message, June 20, 2011

    This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Mexico that the National Hurricane Center (NHC, www.nhc.noaa.gov) forecasts Tropical Storm Beatriz to become a hurricane as it approaches Mexico’s coast. 

  • Warden Message, May 2, 2011

    The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence following recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan.  

  • Travel Warning, April 22, 2011

    The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated September 10, 2010 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional... 

  • Warden Message, March 11, 2011 Tsunami Warning

    Warden Message, March 11, 2011 Tsunami Warning This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing on the Pacific coast of Mexico of a tsunami wave which is anticipated to hit the northern part of the Pacific coast starting at 8:50 am PST on March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean near Northeastern Japan at around 14:46 pm JST on March 11.  

  • Warden Message, February 18, 2011

    On February 15, one U.S. government employee was murdered and another seriously wounded in an attack while traveling in a U.S. government vehicle on Mexican Highway 57 near Santa Maria del Rio, San Luis Potosi. The Mexican government has assured the U.S. Embassy that all necessary actions to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.