As Winter Texans across the Rio Grande Valley prepare for holiday and seasonal trips into nearby Mexican cities such as Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Progreso, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico are urging travelers to be mindful of security risks.

The reminder, issued in a bulletin last week, comes as the U.S. Department of State’s Mexico Travel Advisory — issued in August and still in effect — continues to classify Tamaulipas as a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” state, the highest-risk category for U.S. citizens. 

The designation includes the border cities most frequented by Valley residents and Winter Texans during the winter season.

The embassy’s message opened with a warning that crime, including violent crime, “can occur anywhere in Mexico,” urging travelers to stay alert and consider safety conditions before crossing.