Canada issues travel alert over security concern in Mexico

OTTAWA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Canada Thursday issued a travel advisory for Canadians who are going to Mexico, due to security threat in the Mexican resort city of Playa del Carmen.

According to the advisory, Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting all parts of Mexico "due to high levels of criminal activity, as well as demonstrations, protests and occasional illegal roadblocks."

The Canadian government advises against non-essential travel to several northern and western states in the country.

"Avoid tourist ferries travelling in the region until further notice, be vigilant and monitor local media (including social media)," the advisory said.

The advisory said the U.S. Embassy in Mexico has already advised Americans that its consulate in Playa del Carmen has been closed until further notice. All U.S. government employees are now prohibited from travelling to Playa del Carmen until further notice.

Three Canadians were among 26 people injured when an explosion ripped through a tourist ferry in Playa del Carmen as it unloaded passengers on Feb. 21. Less than two weeks later, undetonated explosives were found on a second ferry on the same route between Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel.

Mexico issued a statement late Wednesday, saying that Playa del Carmen remains safe.

All tourism and economic activities in Playa del Carmen continue in a normal manner and hotel occupancy at the resort city was at 80 percent, said the statement. Enditem