US and Canada issue travel advisories for Mexico following drug kingpin’s killing

The United States government on Sunday advised its citizens in parts of Mexico to remain indoors following outbreaks of violence, road blockades, and flight disruptions triggered by the killing of a senior cartel leader by Mexican troops.

In a notice issued by the Consular Affairs division of the US State Department on social media platform X, Americans were urged to shelter in place until further notice due to extensive security operations, blocked highways, and criminal activity across several regions.

The advisory noted that road closures had disrupted air travel, leading to the cancellation of multiple domestic and international flights at airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican authorities confirmed that Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded during a confrontation with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and later died while being airlifted to Mexico City. He had been one of the country’s most wanted figures, with a $15 million bounty offered by the United States.

Canada also issued guidance to its citizens, saying it was closely monitoring developments and advising Canadians in Mexico to maintain a low profile and comply with instructions from local authorities. Ottawa specifically urged residents and travellers in the states of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Jalisco to remain indoors amid reports of gun battles with security forces and explosions.

The unrest prompted several airlines to suspend operations to affected destinations. Major US carriers including United, American, Southwest, and Alaska along with Canadian airlines Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, cancelled flights to cities such as Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo.

Some aircraft were forced to turn back mid-flight. Southwest Airlines confirmed that four of its flights bound for Puerto Vallarta were diverted and said it plans to send planes to retrieve stranded passengers and crew once conditions stabilise.