Some spring breakers are changing plans after Texas DPS warns about travel to Mexico following recent Americans kidnapped
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during spring break, and beyond, due to the ongoing violence throughout that country.
The FBI says it is offering a $20,000 reward for information surrounding the disappearance of a 63-year-old American citizen who was "kidnapped from her residence" in Mexico in early February.
Maria del Carmen Lopez, whom the FBI’s Los Angeles Office says has connections to Southern California, was last seen at her home in Pueblo Nuevo in Mexico’s Colima state on Feb. 9, according to investigators.
"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 USD for information leading to the physical location of Maria del Carmen Lopez," it said.
The notice comes after Mexican authorities last week repatriated the bodies of two Americans killed in Mexico by members of a drug cartel.
BODIES OF 2 AMERICANS KILLED IN MEXICO RETURNED TO US
Maria del Carmen Lopez is a U.S. citizen who "was kidnapped from her residence in Pueblo Nuevo, Colima, Mexico, on February 9, 2023," the FBI says. (FBI)
Those Americans – identified by Mexican officials as Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown – reportedly crossed the U.S.-Mexico border into Matamoros from Texas so a member of the group they were traveling with could get cosmetic surgery.
Two sisters from a Texas border town and another woman also reportedly remain missing after driving to Montemorelos in Mexico’s Nuevo León state to sell clothing at a flea market in late February.
THREE WOMEN MISSING IN MEXICO AFTER CROSSING BORDER FROM TEXAS TO SELL CLOTHING AT FLEA MARKET
The FBI's Los Angeles Office says Maria del Carmen Lopez has ties to Southern California. (FBI)
Maria del Carmen Lopez is described by the FBI as being around 5 feet 2 inches and weighing 160 pounds, with blonde hair and brown eyes. Her eyeliner, they added, is "permanent/tattooed."
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Lopez’s disappearance follows a U.S. State Department warning last October for Americans to stay away from Mexico’s Colima state.
Police officers keep watch at the scene where authorities found the bodies of two of four Americans kidnapped by gunmen, in Matamoros, Mexico March 7, 2023. The announcement of Lopez's kidnapping comes following their deaths. (REUTERS/Daniel Becerril)
"Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping," the State Department said about the region. "Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping."
Fox News’ Bradford Betz and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
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