U.S. officials urged Americans in parts of Mexico to shelter in place after Mexican forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader. The killing prompted arsons, roadblocks and flight cancellations in Jalisco and beyond, according to multiple outlets and authorities.
U.S. embassy alerts said American government personnel in affected regions need to shelter in place and work remotely as significant disruptions continued around Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Travel advisories have now been issued for several Latin American countries following the killing.
The operation against “El Mencho,” long pursued by U.S. and Mexican authorities for fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking, triggered immediate security risks for American travelers and residents in western Mexico and beyond, prompting U.S. shelter-in-place guidance and airline suspensions that stranded tourists Sunday.
The White House said the U.S. provided intelligence support to Mexico’s operation, underscoring intensified bilateral cooperation and the potential for short-term instability as security forces counter cartel reprisals.
The U.S. Department of State maintains travel advisories for all countries worldwide and updates them regularly.
Geographically near Mexico, countries for which the State Department issues travel advisories include:
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Haiti.
Each country has specific regulations, and travelers should check the advisories for the country they are visiting before they embark.
Mexican military forces killed “El Mencho” during an operation in Jalisco. Mexican officials said he died from injuries during air transport, and U.S. officials confirmed the U.S. provided intelligence support, according to multiple outlets citing government briefings.
Mexican Secretary of Security and Civilian Protection Omar García Harfuch said “dozens” died during retaliatory attacks in Jalisco, including 25 National Guard members, a prison guard, and a State Attorney General’s Office worker, along with a woman and “30 criminals,” CNN reported.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X that “peace, security and normalcy” were being maintained, noting “There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm.”
Mexico’s defense secretary, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, said authorities located Oseguera Cervantes after tracking a person linked to a romantic partner who visited a property near Tapalpa, Jalisco.
He told reporters at a news conference that the woman left on February 21, and intelligence indicated Oseguera Cervantes remained at the site, prompting the operation.
The White House said the U.S. “provided intelligence support” to the Mexican government during the operation.
In an official statement, Sheinbaum emphasized there were no U.S. ground forces and the mission was led by Mexico’s armed forces.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X: “The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated. ‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland. Last year, President Trump rightfully designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization — because that’s exactly what it is.
“In this operation, three additional cartel members were killed, three were wounded, and two were arrested. President Trump has been very clear — the United States will ensure narcoterrorists sending deadly drugs to our homeland are forced to face the wrath of justice they have long deserved. The Trump Administration also commends and thanks the Mexican military for their cooperation and successful execution of this operation.”
Ronald Johnson, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, said in a statement on X: “I express my respect and solidarity with the Mexican officials and service members who confront these criminal elements every day, often at great personal risk. This operation underscores a clear reality: criminal organizations that poison our people and threaten our nations will be held accountable.”
Authorities in Mexico said they deployed thousands of additional troops to Jalisco and neighboring states and reported clearing most roadblocks, while airlines and local officials assessed restoration of service as conditions allowed.
U.S. officials continued to advise Americans in affected regions of Mexico to shelter in place and monitor official channels; travelers should check the State Department’s advisory index for Mexico and nearby countries for any updates prior to travel.
