Over 26,000 Canadians Registered in Mexico Amid Escalating Security Crisis
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced on Monday that more than 26,000 Canadians have self-registered with Global Affairs Canada while in Mexico, as the country grapples with a severe and rapidly evolving security situation. The disclosure came during a press briefing from the House of Commons foyer, highlighting the urgency of the crisis.
Surge in Registrations and Government Response
Anand reported that nearly 8,000 of those registrations occurred in just the past 24 hours, indicating a sharp increase in concern among Canadian travelers. She emphasized that the actual number of Canadians in Mexico could be significantly higher, as self-registration is voluntary and not mandatory for all visitors.
"I am monitoring the serious and rapidly-evolving security situation in various regions of Mexico," Anand stated, specifically mentioning states such as Jalisco, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Quintana Roo, and Baja California. These areas include popular tourist destinations like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Mazatlan, Cancun, Tijuana, and Tecate.
Updated Travel Advisories and Safety Measures
In response to the escalating violence, Canada updated its travel advisories for Mexico on Sunday evening. The new warnings urge visitors to "exercise a high degree of caution" and avoid non-essential travel in numerous regions across the nation. The advisory explicitly notes that "the security situation could deteriorate rapidly in these locations and in others across Mexico."
Shelter-in-place orders are currently in effect in Jalisco and Nayarit, with similar measures, including curfews, potentially being imposed in other areas on short notice. Anand advised Canadians in Mexico to:
- Avoid impacted areas entirely
- Maintain a low profile during their stay
- Follow all directives from local authorities, including curfews and shelter-in-place orders
"All Canadians in affected regions should heed the direction of local authorities, and travel only when it is safe to do so," Anand emphasized during her Monday address.
Government Mobilization and International Coordination
To manage the crisis, Anand confirmed that additional Global Affairs Canada staff have been enlisted to handle the increased workload. Canada's ambassador and consulate staff in Mexico are actively working to ensure the safety of Canadian citizens abroad.
Anand also revealed that she is in direct contact with her Mexican counterpart, who anticipates the situation will normalize in the coming days. Despite this optimism, the emergency watch and response centre has received 440 calls from Canadians in the last 24 hours alone, primarily seeking information about flights and travel advisories.
No Repatriation Flans from Canadian Government
When questioned about potential evacuation efforts, Anand clarified that repatriating stranded Canadians remains the responsibility of airlines. The Canadian government has no current plans to send planes to assist with evacuations, focusing instead on providing updated information and support through diplomatic channels.
"The safety and security of Canadians abroad remains our highest priority," Anand affirmed. "We are going to continue to provide updates to you as the situation evolves."
The crisis underscores the importance of registering with Global Affairs Canada when traveling internationally, especially to regions experiencing political or security instability. Canadians in Mexico are encouraged to stay informed through official government channels and adhere strictly to local safety protocols.
