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TUCSON - A new warning from the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Mexico, urges U.S. citizens to use caution while traveling to and residing in Puerto Penasco, or Rocky Point, after several home invasions, robberies and assaults of citizens in the past few months.

One recent home invasion and assault left a U.S. citizen severely injured, the warning states, and in another, several vacationing U.S. citizens were held at gunpoint while they were robbed and a woman was sexually assaulted.

On July 19, a gun battle erupted between members of a transnational criminal organization, which left six people dead, including a Mexico police offer, the warning states. The battle erupted in downtown Puero Penasco in broad daylight.

"U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security," the warning states. "U.S. citizens visiting Puerto Peñasco are urged to use the Lukeville, Arizona border crossing, to limit driving through Mexico, and to limit travel to main roads during daylight hours."

The U.S. State Department issued a general travel advisory for Mexico and the state of Sonora in February of this year.

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Image courtesy Gabrieel13 via Wikimedia