Airlines in the United States and Canada have canceled flights to and from some parts of Mexico due to civil unrest following the death of cartel leader “El Mencho.”
On Sunday, Air Canada temporarily suspended flights to and from PVR following security concerns.
The travel alerts come after Mexico’s special forces killed cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on Sunday.
El Mencho was the boss of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC), one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico. The cartel was known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to the United States and staging violent attacks against government officials who challenged the criminal network.
The Mexican cartel unleashed a wave of violence in response to El Mencho’s death by blocking roads, setting fire to vehicles and businesses, and triggering chaos across Mexico.
The U.S. Embassy said personnel in eight cities and the state of Michoacan would shelter in place and work remotely on Monday in the wake of the civil unrest.
The embassy also noted the international airports in Mexico haven’t been shut down, but access to roads is limited due to the ongoing violence.
The State Department has urged Americans in certain areas of concern to shelter in place, including Jalisco State and Tamaulipas State and parts of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State.
The White House has confirmed that the United States provided intelligence support to the operation to capture El Mencho and praised Mexico’s army for finally taking down one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.
Meanwhile, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum urged Mexicans to remain calm and stay informed.