The U.S. government on Wednesday issued a security alert for
the Mexico resort town of Playa del Carmen and closed its consular agency
there.
The alert may have been triggered by a Feb. 21 explosion on
a tourist ferry that injured 19 Mexican citizens and at least five U.S.
citizens, according to the Associated Press. The AP also reported that
undetonated explosive devices were found last week on another vessel owned by
the same ferry company.
"The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City received information
about a security threat in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico," said
the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in a statement. "Effective immediately,
U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Playa del Carmen
until further notice. The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen will be
closed until further notice."
The U.S. embassy didn't disclose further details.
The Quintana Roo state government said, "All tourism
and economic activity in Playa del Carmen continues in a normal manner."
Playa del Carmen is the closest resort town to the island of
Cozumel and about 40 miles southwest of Cancun.