WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department urged American citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place amid escalating violence, roadblocks and widespread flight cancellations following the killing of a top cartel leader by Mexican soldiers.
“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” the department’s consular affairs section said on the social media platform X. The notice added that roadblocks had disrupted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
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The warning came after Mexico’s army said Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the mountain town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City. The army announced his death in a statement as authorities moved to contain unrest connected to the operation.
Mexico’s National Guard was deployed heavily across the country amid reports of blockades, gunfire and explosions in multiple states. Authorities did not immediately provide details on the scope of the operations or how long travel disruptions might persist.
Canada said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised Canadians in Mexico to keep a low profile and follow the advice of local authorities. Ottawa specifically urged citizens in the states of Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco to shelter in place, citing “shootouts with security forces and explosions.”
Air travel into western Mexico was significantly affected. U.S. carriers United, American, Southwest and Alaska, as well as Canada’s Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, announced cancellations of flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo. Several airlines said planes already en route to Mexico were forced to turn back because of the security situation and roadblocks impeding airport access.
Southwest said it turned back four flights that had been bound for Puerto Vallarta and would send aircraft to Mexico to repatriate stranded passengers and crew once conditions stabilize. Other carriers told passengers to monitor flight status updates and expect additional cancellations or delays as the situation evolves.
The U.S. State Department did not specify which regions are covered by the shelter-in-place directive, but the advisory cited “many areas of Mexico” and flagged the knock-on effect of security operations on travel and essential services. Officials urged U.S. citizens to avoid travel, stay where they are, and await further guidance.
The developments underscore the potential for broader disruption in Mexico’s key Pacific-coast tourism corridors, where Guadalajara serves as a major hub and Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo are popular beach destinations. Authorities have not indicated when normal operations might resume at affected airports or highways.
Both U.S. and Canadian officials said additional updates would be issued as more information becomes available.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
