The linked article seems somewhat outdated, referring to tragic events back in February. This is not to deny that there are dangers. Somehow, most of us living here deal with it the best we can.

I try to stay up to date on the local happenings.

Kind of surprised me too, but it was a new news article. I could understand the the warnings about Tamaulipas or of Mexico in general but didn't recall any Michoacán events in recent times that would warrant a new warning.

I guess one thing to consider is that I now notice this is from an English printing of a Chinese newspaper. It must be the vogue to toss in something about Michoacán whether or not it is really warranted.

The US isn't the only country to warn their citizens about Mexico travel. On 4/18, Spain did issue a similar warning but from what I was able to glean from a GOOGLE translation, they seem to put a great deal more time and effort into their warnings. It does provide an interesting comparison and in my opinion has a good deal more valid info:
http://www.maec.es/es/MenuPpal/Paises/ArbolPaises/Mexico/Recomendacionesdeviaje/Paginas/recoMexico.aspx

As far as the US including Michoacan in their latest, I think they have had the State included for so long that it seems to be automatic and obviously not based upon any specific current events.

I was rather surprised to see this warning get posted on the Pátzcuaro board, Michoacán_Net, and not start a message bloodbath as we had just a couple days ago when someone casually asked about the safety of visiting Morelia/Pátzcuaro area. On a small message board of that size (Yahoogroup) when 40 people post on the subject in the course of a day it tends to dominate all discussion.

At the end of that day I found myself asking, on the board, "When and what is enough said about local safety?" There was always that same someone, former mod on MexConnect, that would never be satisfied until the board was embroiled in a verbal melee over the safety issue. I was only very lightly assaulted for bringing that up as it seems most there had also heard enough. That former mod sent me a private e-mail asking how dare I turn her words against her as she was merely being helpful. After I responded privately to her inquiry she sent me another message saying, "I don't know what you're talking about. Leave me alone!" Her request I was happy to oblige.

At least of this moment I am quite happy to see, despite the new warning, that as the question of safety in Michoacán arises all is calm and quiet in Morelia/Pátzcuaro today.

As an American who spent 16 years growing up overseas and being directly exposed to the antics of the US State Department, I have a tendency to take their warnings with a grain of salt. The US State Dept is full of political appointments and others who probably could hold a job in the private sector. These warnings are often issued as a CYA move to justify their obligations and they do get them wrong. A good example was last year when the Guadalajara Consulate issued the cartel warning after a grenade went off in a bar in PV. It turned out that the grenade exploded in the bar because a couple of fools where playing with one. Now there was no question that they may have been cartel connected but this turned into an event caused by "stupid being stupid" and not a cartel attack on the bar.

I do read these warnings but they tend to be far down my list of importance. News from the Mexican media and the info gleaned from locals tends to rank far higher on my list!

Not that this could be a direct result of the US Travel Warning but an article out of QUADRATIN reports that sales were down for the Uruapan Artisans Tianguis. A quote from one artist (Google translation):

"Several were interviewed although several preferred to omit their data, but an artisan named Esperanza Pamatacuaro native, said this year sales are lower than in previous years and attributes it to the conflict on one side of the plateau, since no there is money left by tourists, but also because there are michos police, "because previously the tourists and the people of this city still leave the center at eleven to twelve o'clock at night, but now going out of ten people starts to go away from the center. "

Whole article: http://www.quadratin.com.mx/Noticias/Reportan-bajas-ventas-en-Tianguis-Artesanal-de-Uruapan

There is a repeated reference throughout the article about the lack of tourists and that most sales appeared to be to locals.

Jim:

Thanks for your explanation! I had read about the logging dispute and figured that probably playing into the mix. And certainly, the repeated warnings have also figured in too.

We had hoped to be able to make it down this year for the event in Uruapan but it just did not work out. Sounds like it might have been an excellent opportunity to find new products and been able to help out these artisans who are feeling the pinch. I talk frequently with our copper products supplier in Santa Clara del Cobre and I certainly understand what you are saying about their limited ability to withstand a long term downturn. I have noticed a tendency from some suppliers to attempt to make sales at "any price" in the hopes that they can maintain. From my business experience, I know that this type of action generally prolongs the agony and isn't a long term solution. While the "bottom feeders" in the business world might enjoy this advantage, it just isn't the way we operate. We need our suppliers to remain in business and have no wish to contribute to their demise!