Us tourists urged to shelter in mexico amid cartel violence after leader's death

Escalating violence in mexico

The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a stark warning to American tourists in Mexico, urging them to seek shelter following a surge in violence across the country. The unrest stems from the aftermath of the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel. Both the United States and Canada are advising their citizens in specific regions of Mexico to remain sheltered as the cartel responds with violent acts.

Government response and travel advisories

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 11:22 PM Eastern Time, the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs stated that U.S. government personnel would remain sheltering on Monday as well. The department is advising travelers to seek refuge in secure housing or hotels, noting that road blockages are causing cancellations of both domestic and international flights in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Impact on tourist destinations: puerto vallarta and beyond

The violence has been particularly concentrated in Puerto Vallarta and other areas of Mexico. Videos circulating on social media showed burning vehicles and plumes of smoke rising from Puerto Vallarta and other cities. While the U.S. Embassy in Mexico confirmed that airports have not been closed, most flights have been canceled, and services suspended in Puerto Vallarta. Local media reported that several vehicles were set ablaze near a Costco and other establishments.

Airline disruptions and flight cancellations

Several airlines have been significantly impacted. Flights already en route to the region from the United States were diverted back to their originating airports. Air Canada announced the suspension of its operations to Puerto Vallarta on Sunday and Monday. The Puerto Vallarta airport reported cancellations of flights destined for Ciudad de México, Edmonton, Houston, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Denver, Detroit and Toronto in the early hours of Monday.

Puerto vallarta's popularity and recent tourism numbers

Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist destination, especially for Americans and Canadians, and gained international recognition in the 1970s and 1980s thanks to the television series The Love Boat. The city, particularly bustling during the winter months, received 232,200 foreign visitors in December 2023, according to data from the economic compiler CEIC, and has attracted a growing number of international tourists in recent years.

Expanded travel warnings and upcoming events

As the violence escalated, the State Department expanded its heightened travel warning to include Cancún and Tulum, as well as other popular tourist destinations. Two major tennis tournaments are scheduled to take place this week – the Mérida Open of the WTA and the Mexican Open of the ATP in Acapulco – but organizers have yet to respond to inquiries regarding whether matches will proceed as planned. The U.S. government recently sanctioned entities tied to the CJNG cartel, including a timeshare resort, Kovay Gardens.

Government actions and rewards for information

The Mexican government attributed the violence to retaliation for the death of Oseguera Cervantes. Last week, the United States sanctioned Kovay Gardens, a timeshare resort in Mexico, along with 17 other businesses and five individuals linked to organized fraud schemes orchestrated by the cartel. The U.S. Department of the Treasury states that many of these entities operate in or around Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination and a strategic stronghold for the CJNG. In 2024, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of Cervantes.