Mexico Had Most Cases of Canadian Travellers Facing Violent Crimes: Global Affairs

Mexico had the most cases of Canadian travellers facing violent crimes, death abroad, and reports of missing persons last year, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Mexico was the top destination for reports of violent crime targeting Canadian travellers with 52 cases out of the 297 total cases reported worldwide, according to a 2023 to 2024 Consular Data Report published by Global Affairs Canada in July, which was first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The types of reported violent crimes included cases of assault, homicide, and kidnapping, the department said. Mexico remained the top country where Canadians required consular services as victims of violent crimes.

Mexico was also the leading country with the most reported cases of death abroad involving Canadian travellers. Out of approximately 1,500 total cases of Canadians dying abroad, 204 cases were reported in Mexico.

The department says that while most of the reported cases involved death due to natural causes, others involved accidental death from incidents such as drowning, transport accidents, and suicide.

Additionally, Mexico had the most reports of well-being and whereabouts consular cases, with 111 cases out of 746 total cases reported worldwide involving missing persons or those who had limited contact with their family or friends in Canada. There was a 12 percent increase in these types of cases reported globally last year compared to the previous year.

“Enquiries often arise when a family member or friend becomes concerned that a loved one has not been in contact during their travels,” Global Affairs Canada said.

Mexico had the second most reports of Canadians arrested or detained outside of Canada with 163 cases out of the 1,380 cases reported worldwide. The United States had the most reports of these types of consular cases with 320 cases. Globally, there was a 20 percent increase in these types of cases compared to the previous year.

Mexico also had the second most cases related to accidents and medical assistance among Canadian travellers, with 113 cases out of the total 1,069 consular cases reported across the world. The highest number of accidents and illnesses cases were reported in Cuba with 123 cases.

“More than a third of these cases occurred in the top international destinations for Canadians,” the department said.

The top five destinations for Canadian travellers last year were the United States with 25,640,000 visits, Mexico with 1,873,000 visits, Dominican Republic with 876,000 visits, France with 756,000 visits, and Cuba with 700,000 visits.

Consular Services

The federal government provides Canadians travelling abroad with information on safe travel and assistance when experiencing trouble during their travels, including emergency assistance, through its consular services.

“We help Canadians travelling or living outside Canada with a wide range of situations, including lost or stolen passports, death of a loved one, arrest and detention, or injury,” Global Affairs Canada said.

“Each case is different, and the type and extent of consular services we can provide depends on the situation and location.”

Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Global Affairs Canada opened 6,934 consular cases for Canadians travelling abroad. The top three types of consular cases included deaths, arrests and detentions, and accidents and medical assistance related cases.

In total, the United States had 739 consular cases, followed by Mexico with 696 cases, Dominican Republic with 284 cases, Cuba with 248 cases, Thailand with 214 cases, and China with 198 cases.