Tourists walk by the wreckage of a burnt bus in Mexico, after violence erupted across the country following the killing of cartel boss ‘El Mencho.’Alfonso Lepe/Reuters
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Canadians travellers to Mexico should remain cautious even as violence subsided following the killing of a cartel leader.
Before heading into a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Ms. Anand said it’s important for Canadians in Mexico to heed the advice of local authorities.
She said the situation in Mexico is becoming more stable, with flights resuming out of the country following violence sparked by the death of a cartel leader.
What to know about Canada’s travel advisory in Mexico and flight cancellations amid violent unrest
“The volatility and the instability differs throughout the country in different regions,” Ms. Anand told journalists.
“The long and the short of it is the situation is becoming more normalized. We should continue to see this trajectory unfolding. The situation needs to be closely monitored as we are doing with our consular officials on the ground in Mexico.”
Thousands of Canadians remained stranded in Mexico on Tuesday after of widespread violence rocked a number of states and disrupted air travel after the killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly called “El Mencho,” on Sunday.
He was killed in the Mexican state of Jalisco – the location of the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta – and violence spread to various parts of the country.
Ms. Anand also urged Canadians in Mexico to register with her department, a measure she has said allows for passing along up-to-date advice and updates.
As of Tuesday morning, 55,000 Canadians have registered, she said. That’s up from the 26,305 she reported on Monday.
Canadian travellers who responded to a Globe and Mail callout this week complained about difficulties getting through the Global Affairs registration system.
Ms. Anand said Canadians intent on travelling to Mexico need to be mindful that the situation in the country is evolving everyday.
The minister said she has been asked about this by several MPs, including those who have families who may be travelling or considering travel plans for next week.
“I would advise, and our government advises, to examine the situation on a day-to-day basis,” she said.
“The trajectory towards normalization looks positive, and we hope to see further normalization as the week progresses,” she said.
As Canadian flights in and out of Mexico resume, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the situation is very volatile but appears to be normalizing after violence erupted in the multiple regions over the weekend. The minister says Canadians should follow the advice of local authorities.
The Canadian Press
Editor’s note: The map accompanying this article has been updated to correct the placement of Baja California Sur, Guerrero and Guanajuato.