US Embassy Issues Security Alert for Americans in Mexico

U.S. citizens in Mexico have been asked to “shelter in place” due to ongoing security operations in the country, and related road blockages and criminal activity, according to a Feb. 22 security alert from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico.

The security alert to shelter in place is applicable to locations across Mexico including “Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Baja California State (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), and areas of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas States.”

While no airports are closed, airline operations have been negatively impacted, the alert said. In Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, some international and domestic flights are canceled. In Puerto Vallarta, taxis and ride shares have suspended operations. Some businesses have also shut down temporarily.

The embassy advised Americans in Mexico to remain in their residences or hotels, and minimize unnecessary movements. U.S. citizens should be aware of their surroundings and avoid crowds or areas around law enforcement activity, it said.

The alert asked Americans to follow directions of local authorities, and call 911 in case of emergencies. It recommended monitoring local media for updates on the situation. “Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text, and social media.”

The death of El Mencho was confirmed in a Feb. 22 post on X by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” Landau wrote. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”

The Deputy Secretary also referenced reports of violence in Mexico following El Mencho’s death. “It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve.”

The Trump administration designated CJNG and other Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations last year. According to the State Department, the cartel is engaged in migrant trafficking, theft of oil and minerals, weapons trading, and fentanyl trafficking.

CJNG has carried out “intimidating acts of violence,” including attacks on Mexican police and military using military-grade weapons. The cartel has used drones to drop off explosives on law enforcement, and has assassinated Mexican officials, the State Department said when announcing the cartel as a terror group.

The department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information that led to the arrest of El Mencho.

In a Feb. 22 post on X, the Embassy of Mexico in the U.S. said some incidents have occurred around the vicinity of the Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Tepic airports, but that they continue to run normally.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) called on the Mexican government to request for U.S. military assistance to tackle the situation, according to a post on X.

“The Mexican government has to make the right decision for its people and seek US military back up to end the threat of narco terrorists before it’s too late. The drug cartels are a clear and present danger to the US and must be exterminated,” Moreno wrote.

“You have to do something with Mexico,” Trump told reporters at the time. “We’re going to have to do something. We’d love Mexico to do it; they’re capable of doing it, but unfortunately, the cartels are very strong in Mexico.”

The State Department has assigned Mexico with an overall “Level 2-Exercise increased caution” travel advisory, citing risks from crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. Some regions are classified at a higher Level 3 or 4 security risk.

The states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas are classified as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel.”