Update: U.S. travelers in several Mexican cities are urged to shelter in place
A second security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico urged U.S. citizens in several Mexican cities, including resort cities of Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, to shelter in place due to "ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity."
The directive followed news reports that the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel had been killed Sunday by the Mexican army. According to the Associated Press, the killing of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, set off hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other places.
While no airports have been closed, roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta," the security alert stated. "All taxis and ride shares are suspended in Puerto Vallarta. Some businesses have suspended operations."
The alert expanded the impacted areas from an alert published earlier in the day and included the states of Jalisco, which includes Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara; Baja California, which includes Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada; Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum; and areas of Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas.
A translated statement from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, which operates several airports including Puerto Vallarta and Guadelajara, said that the operation of the internal terminal and security within the facilities at Puerto Vallarta had not been impacted and that the airport was under the protection of Mexico's National Guard and Secretariat of National Defense. However, it said, all international operations and most national operations were canceled Sunday.
Airlines including United, American and Delta have issued change waivers for travel to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
The embassy's alert said that U.S. travelers should, among other things, "seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements. Remain in your residences or hotels." ... avoid crowds .... Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text and social media."
This report was updated to expand the areas impacted by the security alert to include additional Mexico cities and states.