The U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros has warned U.S. citizens who might want to travel to Mexico this holiday season that the state of Tamaulipas is considered an unstable region.

Brietbart reports Angela Kerwin, the American Consul in Matamoros, pointed out that the state had been recognized by the Mexican government as a troubled area. “Tamaulipas is not considered a hostile territory but it is considered by the government as dangerous,” said Kerwin.

Kerwin explained that putting out a travel advisory for the region is one of the responsibilities of the consulate. “That is why we keep the information on the web pages so that all citizens looking to travel to Mexico can have a full picture of the conditions of that particular country,” she said.

The diplomat encouraged U.S. citizens to take advantage of the information provided by the embassy. Aside from offering news regarding travel conditions, the site provides travelers with recommendations which might improve their trips to Mexico.

In May the U.S. state department warned against all unessential travel to the state of Tamaulipas.

The official release said that due to the organized criminal groups in the area, safety was an issue. “U.S. citizens have been the victims of violent crimes, such as kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery by organized criminal groups in various Mexican states,” it read.

Mexico's oldest criminal organization, the Gulf Cartel, originated in Tamaulipas.

According to Nancy Hernández, the head of a Mexican citizens group that strives to comfort victims of drug-related violence, the danger in the region can be tied to deals made between the police and the cartel criminals. According to The Guardian, she said, “In Tamaulipas the authorities became so closely allied with the narcos they lost control.”