British tourists in southwest Mexico have been advised to remain inside their hotels following a wave of violent attacks triggered by the death of a powerful drug lord. The Mexican army killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, on February 22, sparking hours of roadblocks and burning vehicles in Jalisco state.
Videos on social media showed smoke over Puerto Vallarta and people fleeing through Guadalajara airport. Two major airports—Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city—saw severe disruptions, with 30 inbound flights diverted or cancelled, leaving thousands of tourists stranded.
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice on Sunday, warning of serious security incidents across Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. It urged Britons to exercise extreme caution, follow local advice to stay indoors, and avoid non-essential travel in affected areas.
The violence comes just months before Mexico hosts 13 World Cup matches, including the opening game in Mexico City on June 11. Fans have expressed fears for their safety, though British tourists in Cancun and the Caribbean coast remain outside the danger zone.
