US, Canada issue travel warnings for Mexico after drug kingpin killing

AFP

22 Feb, 2026 11:13 PM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe now

‌

SaveShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInReddit

Passengers remain stranded at Guadalajara International Airport following flight suspensions and lack of transport in Tlajomulco, Jalisco State, Mexico. Photo / Ulises Ruiz, AFP

The US State Department has urged American citizens in Mexico to shelter in place amid violence, roadblocks and flight cancellations after Mexican soldiers killed a top cartel boss.

“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter
in place until further notice,” said a statement from the department’s Consular Affairs section on social media platform X.

“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” it said.

Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a US$15 million ($25m) bounty on his head.

Canada said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised Canadians in Mexico to “keep a low profile and follow advice of local authorities”.