Canada's Foreign Affairs Ministry is advising Canadians not to travel to the southern Mexican city of Oaxaca because of the turbulent situation there.

 

The ministry said Tuesday in a travel advisory that Canadians have had trouble obtaining assistance from local authorities in emergency situations. It said the Canadian consulate in the city may have to operate from an alternate location because of local security conditions.

 

The travel advisory reminds Canadians to "remain extremely vigilant" in Mexico City, Oaxaca and on the highway between the city and the capital. It said Canadians should avoid large gatherings and public areas where demonstrations could occur.

 

On Sunday, 3,500 Mexican police stormed Oaxaca's city center, which protesters had used as a base to launch demonstrations against the local government since May.

 

The occupation began as a strike by teachers but escalated when a number of groups, representing anarchists, Indians and students, took over the central square and set up barricades.

 

Protests and subsequent civil unrest in Oaxaca general have affected local security and resulted in vandalism and violence, gunfire in front of one of the city's main hotels, armed assaults, arson attacks, and one reported fatality. The situation remains tense, according to the Canadian government's travel advisory.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)