Americans Asked To ‘Shelter In Place’ As Cartel-Related Violence Spills Into Mexican Tourist Hubs

Americans are being asked by the State Department to remain sheltered in place in parts of Mexico due to civil unrest following the successful killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday.

Cervantes was killed by the Mexican army with “complementary information” provided by the United States, The Daily Wire reported.

The State Department’s travel alert specifically notes that Americans in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Baja California, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Quintana Roo State “should shelter in place until further notice.” The states contain major tourism hubs such as Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Cancun, as well as Playa del Carmen and Tulum, among other major cities.

“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, U.S. citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs posted to X on Sunday afternoon.

“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic & int’l flights canceled in both Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta. Taxis/ride shares are suspended in Puerto Vallarta. Seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels,” the post added.

Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, posted that “the Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens” and to “keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being.”

She is encouraging Americans in Mexico to join the Smart Traveler Enrollment program, monitor the department’s social media and to contact the phone numbers listed on the security alert if needed.

The security alert also recommends that Americans stay away from crowds and “areas around law enforcement activity,” check local news, and “be aware” of their environment.

The alert also noted that employees at the American consulate in Tijuana are having to shelter in place, and those who work at the consulate in Monterrey are being asked to stay in the region. The Daily Wire reported that cartel members throughout the country were setting fire to buses and even blocking roads.

Southwest Airlines issued a travel alert for Puerto Vallarta, and American and United Airlines issued alerts for Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Some airlines are offering options for rebooking if someone’s flight is affected by the situation. In 2024, an estimated 870,000 American “residents” traveled to Puerto Vallarta and a million visiting Guadalajara, as Mexico was considered the “largest outbound market” for Americans leaving the U.S., according to the International Trade Administration.