A rash of violent crimes against travelers in Mexico has prompted the United States Department of State to issue a travel warning.

Government officials say that Americans have been victims of homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery in various areas of Mexico in recent months. The officials also say that gun battles between rival Mexican criminal organizations have taken place on the streets and in public places in broad daylight.

The department does say that there is no indication that any Americans have been targeted simply for being American. But the department does suggest that citizens traveling to Mexico “defer non-essential travel.”

“As a result of security precautions that U.S. government personnel must take while traveling to parts of Mexico, our response time to emergencies involving U.S. citizens may be hampered or delayed,” officials said in a statement posted on the Department of State’s website.

More information about the travel warning can be found HERE.