A member of Mexico’s ruling party has criticized the local media for misinterpreting a revised Canadian travel advisory for Mexico as an attack on President Claudia Sheinbaum. The update by Global Affairs Canada on Nov. 13 focused on lowering the threat level in certain areas of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, while leaving the rest of the advisory unchanged.
The misreported news claimed that Canada issued a new travel warning for 14 Mexican states and Mexico City, sparking a wave of coverage that coincided with anti-government protests in Mexico City on Nov. 15. The protests, led mainly by Generation Z groups, turned violent as demonstrators clashed with riot police near the National Palace.
Maribel Solache González, a lawmaker from the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party, attributed the negative rhetoric around security issues to opposition parties aiming to discredit the government. She emphasized that the media’s portrayal of security concerns was exacerbated by the Canadian travel advisory.
Regarding the advisory, President Sheinbaum mentioned seeking clarification from the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, stating that such advisories hold little weight given the significant increase in Canadian tourism to Mexico this year. However, it remains uncertain if the Mexican government has formally requested clarification from Canada.
Opposition lawmakers, including Mario Zamora Gastélum from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), pointed out the ongoing security challenges in the country, particularly in Sinaloa. Zamora Gastélum highlighted the alarming rates of violence and disappearances in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention.
Paulina Rubio Fernández, representing the National Action Party (PAN) in Jalisco, echoed concerns about the federal government’s failure to address escalating violence across states, criticizing the current security strategies.
The Canadian travel advisory continues to caution against non-essential travel to certain areas in Sinaloa and Jalisco, emphasizing the importance of exercising caution. Francisco Aguilar Ordóñez from Acapulco urged Canada to reconsider its advisory, expressing hospitality and reassurance to Canadian visitors.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Canadian travel advisory underscores the complex security challenges facing Mexico and the differing perspectives on how best to address them.