Mexico: Americans warned about potential attacks in Ciudad Juarez

Drug cartel members may be planning attacks at the U.S. border with Mexico and on U.S. Consulate offices in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, in retaliation for the arrest this week of an accused drug-cartel leader, the consulate warned Friday.

In an emergency message, the consulate Friday advised American citizens to “remain vigilant.” It said:

“Information has come to light that suggests a cartel may be targeting the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez or U.S. Ports of Entry. In the past, cartels have been willing to utilize car bombs in attacks. “

It also said it had received information that cartel members may be planning to attack rival gangs, Mexican police or the public in general.

The warning comes after Mexican authorities on Wednesday arrested Marco Antonio Guzman, who was accused of leading the armed wing of the Juarez drug cartel in northern Mexico, the Associated Press reported. It said that Guzman was suspected of involvement in the car bombing of a police station in Ciudad Juarez last year.

In violence that erupted this week in the city, 21 people were killed in 24 hours, the El Paso Times reported.

The U.S. State Department in an April 22 travel warning said Ciudad Juarez has the highest murder rate in Mexico, noting that more than 3,100 people were killed in 2010. And though it advised Americans against traveling to the area, the warning also said there was no evidence that American tourists have been targeted in the ongoing drug violence.