Mexico: Spring Break destination or danger?
EUGENE, Ore - Kidnappings, robberies, and murders have been sweeping Mexico as a power struggle between the Mexican government and drug cartels rages on.
Now, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert to Mexico, just weeks before thousands of American students,. like Kayla Forseth, head there for spring break.
"I'm going with my family," says Forseth. Forseth is headed to Cancun. Although most of the violence is in areas near the U.S. border, like Tijuana, there have been murders in tourist towns including cancun.
"I think I should be alright," says Forseth. "I don't plan on doing too much more than staying in the resort."
Freshman Nick Lorenzini says a few members of his fraternity are headed to Cabo San Lucas for Spring Break. He says they are aware of the travel alert, but, "They don't really want to dwell on it," he says. "They want to have some fun."
Several U.S. Universities are urging students to ditch trips to Mexico; however, a University of Oregon spokeswoman tells KVAL they have not issued a warning to students and are not sure if they will.
Either way, for many Spring Breakers, the party south of the border will go on.
"If people are planning to go down there I'm sure they're still going to go," says Forseth.
Adds Lorenzini, "Spring break is notoriously a fun time and they are trying to look past that and have a memorable experience."
If you are heading to Mexico, the U.S. State Department is urging travelers to use common sense to stay safe.
Avoid areas where there's drugs and prostitution, only visit outdoor tourist spots during the daylight, and do not get involved in any protests or demonstrations.
