Canada’s ambassador to the United States is urging all Canadians in Mexico to contact the Canadian embassy for help amid unrest and violence in the country following the arrest of a son of notorious jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
“I really urge all Canadians to contact the embassy … and they will get the information they need,” U.S. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said in an interview with CTV News Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos.
“We have an embassy in Mexico and two consulates and in a situation like this what’s very important is for Canadians to contact … those Canadian consular representatives in the country and get the information they need about how to… behave and what they should do.”
It comes as the Canadian government advises Canadians currently in Mexico to “limit their movements and shelter in place if possible” amid “widespread violence and security operations” in Sinaloa state. following the arrest of high-ranking Sinaloa cartel member Ovidio Guzmán López on Thursday.
“There are burning cars, exchanges of fire and threats to essential infrastructure, including airports,” reads the updated travel warning.
Canadians in Mexico are also urged to avoid areas where large gatherings are taking place, monitor local media for information and follow the instructions of local authorities.
According to the Canadian Abroad Registration Database, 12,387 Canadians are currently in Mexico, but that’s not the full picture.
Those requiring urgent consular assistance are asked to contact Global Affairs Canada’s response center by phone, text or email.
TRUDEAU STILL GOES TO THE TOP DESPITE UNREST
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to travel to Mexico City next week to participate in a summit of North American leaders alongside United States President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Asked about the status of the trip given the current situation, a source in Trudeau’s office told CTV News they are monitoring the situation in Mexico very closely. The Sinaloa region, where the security concerns are, is more than 1,200 kilometers from where the international high-level meeting is to be held.
It was announced Friday that Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie and International Trade Minister Mary Ng will accompany Trudeau to the Jan. 10 summit to discuss “shared priorities” with their respective Mexican and American counterparts.
Hillman said the Three Amigos summit is currently ongoing.
“The plan is for us to go,” she said. “Obviously we will take all necessary precautions.
With a file from CTV News Channel Senior Political Correspondent Mike Le Coutre
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