The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning for Mexico following a surge in cartel violence in the southwestern state of Jalisco. The unrest erupted after the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a joint Mexican-US military operation in Tapalpa.
Violent reprisals have been reported across Jalisco, including in the popular tourist destinations of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Social media footage showed passengers at Guadalajara airport taking cover as the airport came under attack. The Foreign Office advises travellers to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and follow local authority instructions.
Many flights to and from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara have been cancelled or diverted, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. Puerto Vallarta airport confirmed the suspension of all international and most domestic operations on 22 February, urging passengers to remain calm. Air Canada also temporarily suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta.
The US Embassy in Mexico City has urged American citizens in Jalisco and other affected areas to shelter in place. The security alert warned of road blockages and criminal activity. Sandra Pellegrini, a Latin America expert at the conflict monitoring group Acled, warned that the killing of the cartel leader may not reduce violence long term and could trigger further instability as factions compete for power.
The travel warning does not affect the main resorts for British holidaymakers on the Caribbean coast, such as Cancun, which is over 1,000 miles away. However, the Foreign Office has updated its advice to warn of road blockades across affected states and urges travellers to monitor local media before travelling.
