Increased violence in Mexico prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a warning Tuesday morning to anyone traveling to Mexico.

Violence has risen in northern Mexico, especially in the cities of Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua, the travel advisory said. Drug cartels and other criminals have retaliated violently against individuals who speak out against them or they otherwise view as a threat to their organizations. Recently, two U.S. citizens were abducted and murdered, according to the advisory.

Sophomore Jenny Sisombath is traveling to Jaumave, Mexico, during spring break for a medical mission trip.

“I just read the alert actually and I’m a little worried,” Sisombath said.

Sisombath said she won’t have a lot of free time, but the time the group has will mostly be looking for a way to contact home since they can’t bring cell phones.

“We have one free day, but we will be supervised,” she said.

Senior Taylor Zumbusch is driving down from Tuscon, Ariz., to Rocky Point, Mexico.

“I’m not that worried. The violence is not in the area the I will be in,” Zumbusch said. “I have been all over Mexico many times and love the people.”

Zumbusch is driving down with her sister, and the rest of their family will meet with them later in the week.

“When people travel anywhere, they need to be smart,” she said.

Last spring, a St. Thomas student died on a spring break trip to Mexico, but Mexican authorities said the death was accidental.

Brian Woitte can be reached a bmwoitte@stthomas.edu.