American citizens residing in the Mexcian city of Tijuana have been urged to take shelter by the US Consulate. The advisory comes as widespread violence is being reported in Tijuana, which is located in the Mexican state of Baja California.

The US Consulate acknowledged “reports of multiple vehicle fires, roadblocks, and heavy police activity.” In addition to Tijuana, violence has also been reported in cities like Mexicali, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate.

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American citizens have also been advised to “inform their friends and families of their situation and monitor news reports for information”, according to the recently released notice. 

According to reports from NBC San Diego citing Tijuana mayor Monserrat Caballero, nearly 2,000 police officers and 3,000 National Guard troops have been alerted of the violence and are ready to be deployed if needed. At least 10 vehicles have been set on fire, the mayor said.

Hundreds of Mexican soldiers have already been sent to Ciudad Juarez, a city where the violence was triggered. Ciudad Juarez , also in Baja California, is near the United States’ southern border.

Ricardo Mejía Berdeja, the deputy security minister, said that the violence began on Thursday in a prison located in Ciudad Juarez. According to reports from Newsweek, two Mexican cartels — Los Chapos and Los Mexicles– were behind the violence. The prison riot, which evolved into a shootout, resulted in the death of at least 11 people. 

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While the US State Department has not commented on the violence so far, Mexican politicians have released statements condemning the incident.

Baja California governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda wrote on social media, “There are already detainees responsible for the events that occurred. We will apply all the strength of our government so that there is peace and we find those responsible for these attacks”, she said.