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On April 3, a shooting took place at a hotel located in the De la Cruz neighborhood of Mexico City's Iztacalco borough. Two armed men entered the hotel and opened fire in the lobby area, injuring one person. On April 16, officials announced that Federal Police agents arrested Arnoldo Villa Sanchez, who is thought to be the Beltran-Leyva Organization's (BLO) second-in-command. The arrest took place in the Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City Members of civic organizations and supporters of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) staged a protest on April 22 in Mexico City against proposed telecommunications reform legislation. Participants gathered at the Angel de la Independencia monument at before marching to the Senate building, where senators presented the telecommunications reform legislation for debate. Members of civic organizations and supporters of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) held a protest against a proposed telecommunications reform April 26 in Mexico City. Participants say formed a human chain from Los Pinos to Televisa Chapultepec before rallying at Los Pinos.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said on April 3 that vigilante groups from the state of Michoacan must join government security entities, disarm, or face arrest. Chong added that government security forces will begin to disarm non-compliant self-defense groups and work to remove barricades and other defenses that the organizations have established. According to Chong, recent federal initiatives have significantly improved security in Michoacan, making independent community militias unnecessary.

Marines and state police officers killed four gunmen during a patrol in the Chalchihuecan neighborhood of Veracruz (map) April 14. According to authorities, two of the gunmen opened fire on the patrol as it passed by their safe house, located on Camino Real Street. Troops and police killed the two gunmen who initially opened fire, and later killed two more when they raided the

The Attorney General’s Office arrested former Acting Governor and current Secretary of the Michoacán Government, Jesus Reyna Garcia, on April 4 on suspicion of ties to the Knights Templar Cartel. Reyna Garcia’s arrest was based on investigations started when he attended meetings in which top cartel members were present in Tumbiscatio in July and October 2011. Leaders of vigilante groups based in Michoacan and state and federal officials came to an agreement on a process for demobilizing community militias April 14. The agreement will allow members of self-defense groups to become part of government-sanctioned community police forces or Rural Defense Corps units under the command of the military. Militiamen must also register small arms restricted for use by the military and law enforcement with the Navy; they will have to forfeit light weapons. Vigilantes will have until May 10 to comply with the agreement; officials say they will prosecute and arrest members that violate the accord. On April 21, three individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in plots to kill security and justice officials in Michoacan. The suspects were thought to have been planning attacks on members of the Michoacan Public Security Secretariat and the Mexican Attorney General's Office. On April 27, a gunfight among federal security forces, suspected members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO), and vigilantes broke out near La Mira, Michoacan. Reports indicate that the shootout erupted after government security personnel and members of a vigilante group came under fire from a group of gunmen. The incident also resulted in two injuries and 10 arrests.

A shootout between Mexican troops and suspected members of the Gulf Cartel in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, resulted in six deaths April 1; at least five of the deceased are thought to be Gulf Cartel hitmen. Gunfire broke out at about 1600 and lasted for several hours; gunmen reportedly forced tractor trailer drivers to use their vehicles in roadblocks. According to the Tamaulipas Attorney General's Office, the shootout was provoked by the arrest of Jesus Alejandro Leal, who is thought to be the Gulf Cartel's Reynosa plaza boss. On April 6, violent clashes between rival gunmen erupted in Tampico, Tamaulipas State, killing at least 14 people. The dead included 13 men and one woman; some of the shootings took place in the city's streets, while others reportedly occurred near businesses. Authorities did not speculate as to who the culprits were, although unconfirmed reports suggested that members of the Gulf Cartel were involved. On April 9, Tamaulipas officials confirmed that at least 28 people have died in a series of gunfights and assassinations in the state from April 5-8. Authorities said that they do not have immediate plans to implement elevated security measures in the state, including the Tampico-Altamira area, where some of the larger outbreaks of violence have occurred. 14 people were killed in a series of shootouts between gunmen and federal security forces in Reynosa, Tamaulipas on April 29. The largest confrontation took place in the Beaty neighborhood, where four gunmen, two Federal Police agents, and two innocent bystanders were killed. Another major clash occurred in the Aquiles Serdan district, where troops killed six gunmen. Roadblocks connected to the gunfights were reported in at least six areas of the city. Criminals reportedly used public buses and other large vehicles to establish

On April 2, Nuevo Leon Governor Rodrigo Medina said that he will take measures to increase security along the Nuevo Leon-Tamaulipas border. Medina said that a major gunfight in Reynosa, Tamaulipas on April 1 has motivated him to escalate security measures, including additional patrols on highways connecting the two states. On April 7, members of Medina's administration and officials from the military and the government of Tamaulipas will take part in a meeting to coordinate a strategy. A gunmen ambushed a state police patrol on April 29 in the town of Sabinas Hidalgo, killing an officer and wounding a colleague. Two other state police officers later went missing as they drove to investigate. Officials said the incidents happened on a road near the state line between Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states.

On April 14, National Security Commissioner Monte Alejandro Rubido Garcia confirmed that federal security personnel had arrested Antonio Reina Castillo, the presumed leader of Los Rojos criminal organization. Reina Castillo was arrested near the municipality of Tixtla, Guerrero on April 11. Tixtla is located about 95 km (59 miles) north of Acapulco. On April 19, assailants threw two hand grenades at a hotel in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, where federal security reinforcements have resided over the past several weeks. One grenade exploded in midair, and the other failed to detonate; the incident did not result in any injuries.

residence. Officials say that no security personnel or innocent bystanders were injured during the incident.

roadblocks on Federal Highway 2 and in the Rodriguez Ampliacion, Jose Lopez Portillo, Las Cumbres, Petrolera, and Longoria neighborhoods.

On April 1, Mexican officials confirmed the death of Enrique Plancarte, who was thought to be the Knight Templar criminal organization's second-in-command. The Federal Police reported that Plancarte was killed during a March 31 gunfight with marines in the municipality of Colon, Queretaro

Police investigating reports they received on April 11 regarding the murder are of eight individuals in the municipality of Pueblo Nuevo, Durango. On April 14, authorities confirmed that a violent act took place, but did not provide an official casualty count. Pueblo Nuevo is located about 85 km (53 miles) southwest of the city of Durango.

Federal Police agents arrested eight men on April 25, among them Miguel Ángel Pérez Quintero, the alleged boss of the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG). The additional seven men who were arrested are also suspected cartel members. The 34-year-old cartel chief had replaced Rubén Oseguera González as the cartel's leader after police arrested González in January 2014.

Two dead bodies and a threatening message directed to a police commander were found outside a police station in the La Presa borough of Tijuana, Baja California, April 16. Officers discovered the bodies and message while investigating a suspicious vehicle in the area.

Police reported on April 23 that four murder victims were found on a stretch of Chihuahua Highway 5 between the municipalities of Buenaventura and Ignacio Zaragoza ; officers became aware of the bodies on April 22. According to reports, the bodies had execution-style

gunshot wounds and showed signs of torture. Authorities say that the cadavers were dumped on the highway after the killings took place in another location.

On April 12, Mexican government officials announced the creation of a national registry of businesses and individuals suspected of having financial links to criminal and terrorist organizations. According to the announcement, Mexico's registry will include many of the organizations and individuals that the US Department of the Treasury's Overseas Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted with counternarcotics sanctions. Mexican Treasury Secretary Luis Videgaray said that his government plans to create an anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) system similar to OFAC. He also said that the Mexican government will consult and share information with the US Treasury when making designations. The Ministry of National Defense decreased the number of troops engaged in fighting organized crime and violence from 50,000 to 32,000, according to a 19 April 2014 report. Overall, the Peña Nieto administration has reduced the number of soldiers combating organized crime by 35 percent since replacing Felipe Calderón in 2012. The number of high-impact operations has also been reduced from 25 to 10.

With airlines offering tens of thousands of flights every day, airports are packed with people traveling for business and pleasure. The high volume of airport traffic puts travelers at for theft, property damage, assault, and public violence. Although you may not be a avoid long lines, shrieking babies, and airline fees, there are precautions you can take help your trip go smoothly.

Plan Before You Board Note all clothing and items that you packed so if any

belongings go missing you will be able to quickly identify them.

Keep in mind that there are several articles currently

prohibited from carry-on baggage by TSA. You can check the up-to-date prohibited items list on the TSA website at www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items.

Remember that the amount for each aerosol, liquid,

and gel allowed on board is limited to 3.4 ounces or under. The TSA mandates that you collect all small liquid bottles in a 1 quart clear zip-top bag before screening.

Ensure that you have your ID where you can easily access it –chances are you’ll have to show it more than once as you pass through the airport. Always return identification to your purse or wallet immediately after using it.

Be prepared to remove footwear, belts with metal buckles, jackets, hats, and any large jewelry when passing through security. Avoid wearing any flashy jewelry that might attract the attention of pickpockets and thieves.

Carry a sufficient amount of cash with you, as unexpected expenses often spring up while traveling. Keep your wallet in your pocket at all times, and carry any purse or laptop bag close to your body. Be wary of pickpockets, who often bump into their victims to create a distraction while removing valuables from pockets or purses.

Navigate the Airport

Allow time to check bags and remember that security lines can get very long, particularly in larger cities. The best guideline to remember is to plan to arrive at the airport no later than an hour before departure.

Always cooperate with TSA security officers. Travelers often become frustrated when passing through security, but it is important to remember that security procedures are in place to ensure safety for everyone.

Never leave luggage unattended or with strangers and don’t allow anyone except security officers or uniformed baggage handlers to carry your luggage.

If you are traveling with children, stay with them at all times and keep an eye on their luggage as well as your own. Make sure that your child knows to find an airport official or security officer and ask for help should he or she become lost.

Stay alert at all times and drink alcohol in moderation to avoid endangering yourself, your fellow travelers, or your flight status.

Immediately report unattended luggage or any suspicious activity to airport security services.

Flying can be stressful, but by following these safety precautions, you can avoid trouble and arrive safely at your destination.