Just got this warning from U.S. Consul

[Mainecoons]

Warden Message 04/22/2010

This Warden Message informs U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Mexico of the ongoing security concerns for travelers driving on the Maxipista Benito Juarez toll road in the State of Sinaloa. This highway is known to be particularly dangerous at night when roadside robberies occur. Sometimes criminals create a roadblock and stop as many cars as they can catch, and then rob the travelers, usually at gunpoint, sometimes also taking the car. Other times the criminals drive up behind a vehicle and divert the victim’s car to a side road where they rob the travelers. For this reason, U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo strongly advises all travelers to travel during daylight hours.

The Consulate’s Security office has advised Consulate personnel to use armored vehicles on well traveled roads during daylight hours when traveling in Sinaloa. The reason for this policy is escalating violence throughout northern Mexico and Sinaloa. Although travel is still permitted to Sinaloa, U.S. government employees are instructed to follow the security practices detailed in “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html.

U.S. citizens traveling through northern Mexico should exercise caution. Review of recent violence indicates that although criminal acts can occur unexpectedly at any time of day, overall it is safer to travel during the morning and early afternoon hours. American citizens are advised to refer to guidance in the Department of State’s most recent Travel Warning for Mexico located on the internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html and Country Specific Information for Mexico, which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html for additional information regarding the current security situation in the country. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website http://travel.state.gov/ibrs/ui.

For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico, please contact the U.S. Embassy or the closest U.S. Consulate. U.S. citizens in Hermosillo’s consular district may contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Consulate General, located at Monterrey 141 Poniente, Col. Esqueda, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico; telephone 662 289 3500; after hours emergency telephone 044 662 256 0741; web page: http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov; ACS Unit fax 662 217 2571; email: Hermoacs@state.gov.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

[cosalamx]

For what it is worth - We drove into Hermosillo on Thursday evening arriving about an hour before dusk (we left Lakeside at 5 a.m.), then were on the road North at daybreak with no signs of problems and very little police and army presence on the toll road.

There is a army checkpoint about 60 km. South of Santa Ana, which had a line up 8 km. long of trucks. It took us about 45 minutes to clear, mostly because of a traffic problem with two trucks that decided to turn around about 4 km. before the checkpoint.

This is not to suggest that the reported incidents do not occur, I'm just reporting our personal experiences.

[B&T]

We now appear to have "dueling" State Department warnings, this from Mexico:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ap2TZkCU0SSg

Mexico Issues Travel Warning for Arizona Over Law

Mexicans in Arizona should carry documentation and “act carefully” after the state passed a law requiring local police to determine the immigration status of anyone suspected of being in the country illegally, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said.

In other words, exactly like those of us who live in Mexico are required to do every day we're here!!! And yes, we are stopped by the Federales and asked for our proof of legality, and I for one am more than pleased to present it to them.