U.S. adds more Mexican states to travel warning

MEXICO CITY - The U.S. State Department recommends Americans avoid travel to all or parts of 14 of 31 Mexican states in the widest travel advisory since Mexico stepped up its drug war in 2006.

The state department advises against any nonessential travel to Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas, all bordering the U.S, and the central state of Durango. It advises caution in three other border states, as well as states in central and western Mexico where cartels have been warring.

The advisory this week said U.S. citizens have been victims of drug violence, including killings, kidnappings and carjackings.

The previous warning in April 2011 recommended avoiding travel in just two states and parts of seven others.