Credit: Stringer for Reuters
(Guadalajara, Mexico) — On February 22nd, Americans in parts of Mexico were urged to shelter in place following widespread clashes among drug cartels, security operations, road blockages, and criminal activity. The chaos is most viable in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, but American officials say there’s also violence in Tijuana. It all started when Mexican authorities killed a top cartel boss.
Authorities say the U.S. provided intelligence support for the attack that killed the drug kingpin known as “El Mencho.” Posting on X, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “President Trump has been very clear – the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved.”
The cartel members started fires and roadblocks but there are signs that the situation is getting better. Flights are slowly starting to resume at some airports that were shut down at the start of the week. At least 25 member of Mexican law enforcement have been killed in recent days.
Tourists are stranded in Mexico as violence erupts in the state of Jalisco, forcing the cancellation of more than 130 flights Sunday. Denver resident Scott Posilkin says he and his friends were trying to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta when fighting between the Mexican army and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel broke out over the weekend. The clashes began following the killing of the cartel’s leader. Posilkin says the group is still waiting inside their rental home until being told the area is safe again. The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico, and travelers are urged to check with their airlines before flying. Several criminal gangs, including the Jalisco cartel, have been recently linked to major drug seizures across Colorado and the Denver metro area.
A veteran border reporter says the unrest in Mexico is more than a routine flare-up. Alfredo Corchado, executive editor of the Puente News Collaborative, says the violence often surges when cartel leadership shifts, but the situation now is worse than anything he’s seen in 25 years. In the coming weeks, he’ll be watching whether cartel factions settle or clash again, which will determine if this calms down, or escalates further.
At least 25 members of Mexican law enforcement have been killed in recent days. Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are hardest hit, but there are signs that the situation is getting better. Flights are slowly starting to resume at some airports that were shut down at the start of the week. Mexico’s president is urging calm, saying the government is in control.
As of February 24th, Americans in Mexico are no longer being urged to shelter in place. The U.S. Department of State said public transportation and businesses are continuing to return to normal in Mexico. The department added that flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara and extra flights are being planned in Puerto Vallerta. Americans who were stuck in Mexico said the battles made it feel like a warzone as cartel members started fires and set roadblocks.
