US Issues Shelter-in-Place Alert for Citizens in Parts of Mexico Amid Violence

The U.S. State Department has urged American citizens in several Mexican states to “shelter in place” following a surge in violence after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The advisory, issued Sunday, affects travel to cities including Cancún, Guadalajara, and Oaxaca, as well as the state of Baja California.

El Mencho was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday, February 22nd, according to the Mexican Army. He had been wounded during the operation and died even as being transported by air to Mexico City. The CJNG, described by the U.S. State Department as a transnational cartel, is considered one of the most violent criminal organizations in Mexico.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico stated the shelter-in-place order was a response to ongoing security operations, roadblocks, and criminal activity. The advisory remains in effect until further notice.

Several major North American airlines have cancelled flights to affected areas. United, Southwest, Alaska, and American Airlines, along with Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, announced cancellations to destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Manzanillo, and Mazatlan. Southwest Airlines reported diverting four flights already en route to Mexico back to their origin points. WestJet cancelled 37 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo, and also diverted seven flights initially bound for Puerto Vallarta. Airlines are offering flexible cancellation and modification policies for passengers traveling to and from the impacted regions, with Southwest planning to deploy additional aircraft to repatriate passengers and crew once conditions stabilize.

The operation that resulted in El Mencho’s death was supported by intelligence provided by the United States, according to a statement from the White House. Karoline Leavitt, a White House spokesperson, stated that El Mencho was a “high-priority target” for both Mexico and the U.S., and a major source of fentanyl trafficked into the United States. The CJNG was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration last year.

Guatemala has also placed its security forces on alert and increased surveillance along its border with Mexico in response to the escalating violence. The Guatemalan Interior Ministry has put the army and police “on alert for possible attacks by Mexican drug trafficking groups.”

During the operation that killed El Mencho, three other cartel members were killed, three were injured, and two were arrested, according to U.S. Officials. The Mexican Army reported obtaining “complementary information” from U.S. Authorities to facilitate the operation.