The US State Department has instructed American citizens to “shelter in place” in regions of Mexico experiencing criminal incidents and road blockades, following the killing of a senior cartel leader by authorities.
This security warning applies to the state of Jalisco, home to tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. It also extends to parts of the states of Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
According to sources, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho,” was killed during a federal operation targeting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Sunday morning.
Following his death, criminal organizations set vehicles on fire to obstruct roads in various parts of Jalisco, as reported by local media. Residents of Guadalajara posted videos showing armed individuals shooting at car tires to block intersections, with the disruptions extending to other states including Michoacán and Guanajuato.
The State Department advises US citizens to steer clear of locations with law enforcement operations and crowds, inform contacts of their whereabouts, stay updated on local news, find shelter, and limit non-essential travel.
In a social media statement, Christopher Landau, the US deputy secretary of state, described Oseguera’s death as “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world.”