U.S. Issues Security Alert Over Threat in Sonora and Restricts Movement

The U.S. Consulate in Nogales urged its citizens to exercise extreme caution and limited its staff’s movements to essential activities during daylight hours.

On Saturday, September 5, the U.S. Consulate General in Nogales issued a security alert regarding information about a threat in this border municipality in Sonora.

In a notice addressed to U.S. citizens in the region, the diplomatic mission announced that the U.S. Mission to Mexico has restricted its personnel’s movements to essential activities and only during daylight hours.

The statement didn’t specify the source of the threat or the nature of the situation detected by authorities, nor did it indicate how long the restrictions on diplomatic mission staff would remain in effect.

Personnel movements restricted

In an alert addressed to U.S. citizens in the region, the diplomatic mission announced that the U.S. Mission in Mexico has restricted its personnel’s movements to essential activities only and limited them to daylight hours.

The statement did not specify the source of the threat or the nature of the situation detected by authorities, nor did it indicate how long the restrictions on diplomatic mission staff would remain in effect.

**Personnel movements restricted**

U.S. citizens in the area were advised to exercise heightened caution while traveling and to remain aware of their surroundings.

The alert also notes that, in the event of an incident, individuals should seek shelter immediately and contact family or friends to inform them of their status.

The U.S. Mission further urged citizens to heed instructions from Mexican security authorities and to stay informed via local media outlets.

Sonora remains at Level 3—”Reconsider Travel”—under the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory system.

**Request to report any incidents**

As of Saturday night, Mexican authorities had not publicly disclosed the source of the threat that prompted the changes to U.S. personnel activities in Nogales.

This alert follows a similar incident in another border city; on August 24, the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana suspended official operations and restricted staff movements in Mexicali, Baja California, due to a threat.

Mexican authorities later indicated they were investigating a possible plot to use explosives against government buildings; however, no similar details regarding the nature of the threat in Nogales have been released so far.

Source: El Siglo de Torreón