NEED TO KNOW

• The U.S. State Department ordered Americans in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon states to shelter in place until further notice
• The emergency warning follows the Mexican military’s killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes
• Cartel gunmen responded with coordinated attacks including burning roadblocks, airport chaos, and infrastructure strikes across western Mexico

MEXICO CITY (TDR) — The U.S. State Department issued an emergency shelter-in-place order Sunday for Americans across five Mexican states, warning citizens to remain indoors and avoid law enforcement activity as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launches coordinated retaliation for the killing of its leader. The warning covers Jalisco (including PuertoVallarta and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon states.

The extraordinary security alert came within hours of the Mexican army confirming it had killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the CJNG kingpin who built one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. As news spread, cartel operatives activated sleeper cells across the region, torching vehicles to block highways and sowing chaos at international airports.

“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice.” — U.S. Embassy in Mexico

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The embassy’s directive instructs Americans to avoid areas around law enforcement activity, minimize unnecessary movements, monitor local media, and keep family informed of their status. For those requiring assistance, the embassy activated emergency lines: 55 8526 2561 from Mexico or +1-844-528-6611 from the U.S.

Tourist Havens Turned Danger Zones

The warning encompasses some of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. In Puerto Vallarta, a Pacific resort city that attracts millions of American visitors annually, smoke billowed over the skyline as cartel gunmen burned vehicles and blocked roads. Videos circulated on social media showed chaos at the Guadalajara International Airport, where passengers sprinted through terminals in panic.

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Toronto resident Tim Spencer, vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, described the scene from his hotel: “Everything’s just covered in smoke here at the moment. Grey and smoggy everywhere and the smell, it’s just like that electrical fuel, gross fire smell.”

“We are monitoring the situation and in contact with local authorities who are working to resolve the issue.” — Air Canada statement

Airlines suspended operations amid the security crisis. Air Canada halted flights to Puerto Vallarta, advising customers not to attempt travel to the airport. Southwest Airlines canceled eight scheduled flights, while United and Delta issued travel waivers for affected passengers.

All taxis and ride shares were suspended in Puerto Vallarta, and some businesses suspended operations as the code red emergency protocol took effect.

Canadian Warning Expands Crisis

Canada joined the U.S. in warning its citizens, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stating Ottawa was “deeply alarmed” by the violence. Canadian officials reported 4,672 citizens registered in Jalisco state alone.

The dual warnings mark an unprecedented security crisis for North American tourists in Mexico. While the U.S. maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for much of Mexico, urging increased caution, Sunday’s shelter-in-place order effectively trapped thousands of tourists in their hotels as cartel violence raged outside.

“This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.” — U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces mounting pressure to restore order while managing relations with the Trump administration, which had offered a $15 million reward for El Mencho and recently designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.

Cartel Retaliation Continues

The violence extended far beyond Jalisco. In Michoacan, Governor Alfredo Ramírez reported at least 13 municipalities with roads blocked by burning vehicles. Similar blockades appeared in Colima, Nayarit, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato, demonstrating the cartel’s reach across central Mexico.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel has pioneered military-style tactics including helicopter attacks, explosive-laden drones, and roadside mines. In 2020, the group launched a grenade and rifle attack in Mexico City against the capital’s police chief.

“As a result of this operation, individuals have burned vehicles and blocked roads in various parts of the region and other areas of Jalisco to hinder the flow of people.” — Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro

Despite the chaos, Mexican officials insisted that airports remained technically operational, though roadblocks prevented access. The State Department warned that conditions could change rapidly, advising travelers to “remain in your residences or hotels” and avoid crowds.

With the shelter-in-place orders still active and the cartel demonstrating its ability to paralyze multiple states simultaneously, tourists and residents alike face an uncertain timeline for when normal activities might resume.

As cartel violence surges following El Mencho’s death, will Mexican authorities regain control quickly, or will the shelter orders extend indefinitely as criminal organizations flex their power?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from USA Today, The Arizona Republic, Business Insider, U.S. Embassy Mexico, KHOU Houston, WCNC Charlotte, Austin American-Statesman, and U.S. State Department Travel Advisories.

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