Published on •Updated
Tourists in parts of Mexico have been warned to stay inside after violence erupted across the country following the killing of a cartel boss.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, was killed during a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him on Sunday 22 February.
Cartel members responded with violence, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles.
While the situation has returned to normal in many parts of the country, the US State Department is still advising its citizens to shelter inside in areas including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
‘Stay alert and follow local security advice’
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned that “wherever you are in Mexico, you should stay alert and follow local security advice”.
“If you are currently in Jalisco, minimise movements and follow any local shelter‑in‑place instructions,” the FCDO said in a statement. “These conditions are significantly affecting access to reliable transport and services, with local shelter‑in‑place instructions in some areas and suspension of certain local transport services reported in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to stay indoors.”
The FCDO went on to say that flights have been disrupted and that security incidents have also been reported in other parts of Mexico, including in tourist areas in Quintana Roo and Oaxaca states.
The US Embassy in Mexico has said that citizens in parts of Jalisco State and Nayarit State, including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Ciudad Guzman shoulder shelter in place. The latest statement noted that the situation has returned to normal in many areas including Baja California, Quintana Roo State, Oaxaca, Puebla and others.
The capital of Jalisco State, Guadalajara, is due to host four FIFA World Cup matches later this year, while Puerto Vallarta is a popular resort city.
Flight disruption in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta
All international flights to Puerto Vallarta Airport were cancelled on Sunday 22 February, with some flights cancelled or rescheduled on 23 February.
“The airport is under the protection of personnel from the National Guard (GN) and the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), as part of ongoing coordination efforts with federal authorities,” the airport said in a statement through its official account @VallartaAirport on X.
In an update posted on 23 February, operator Pacific Airports Group noted that the Guadalajara and Vallarta Airports are “open and operating”, but that some airlines have cancelled or rescheduled flights.
Social media clips circulating on Sunday appeared to show panicked passengers at Guadalajara Airport, but viral claims that the facilities were taken over have been debunked.
American Airlines, United and Delta have all waived change fees for those travelling to, through or from Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta over the next few days. Air Canada had cancelled all of its scheduled flights to both airports, but these routes will now resume to Puerto Vallarta on 24 February and to Guadalajara on 25 February.
Airports in other parts of the country, including in the capital Mexico City, are operating normally.
This article was updated on 24 February to reflect the latest information.