The State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory on Sunday as a Tampa-area traveler describes “high anxiety.”
TAMPA, Fla. — Many American tourists visiting Mexico remain stranded after the killing of one of the nation’s largest drug cartel leaders, “El Mencho,” triggered unrest that left dozens dead and disrupted travel.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, among the most wanted drug lords in the world, was killed in a Mexican military operation on Sunday. In the days since, violence has led to property damage and panic at one of Mexico’s busiest airports, Guadalajara International Airport, with travelers seen running through terminals as unrest unfolded on Sunday.
“Everyone has been super worried. I have been assuring them that we are okay,” said Raymond Garcia, a Hernando County resident vacationing in Mexico.
Garcia described the atmosphere in the immediate aftermath as tense. “It was high anxiety,” he said.
On Sunday, the U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Mexico, urging them to find a safe place to stay and minimize any unnecessary travel.
Garcia’s return flight out of Puerto Vallarta was delayed multiple times today, while two of the friends he was traveling with had their trips to Miami and New York fully cancelled.
“I understand the situation. So, I’m a patient person. I do want to get home. I feel like I’m getting sick, or a sickness of some sort. So I would like to get home. I’ve just been kind of doing work while I’m here waiting it out,” Garcia said.
By Tuesday, he said, conditions appeared to be stabilizing.
“They’re cleaning up the different businesses that have been burned. A lot of cars and buses, all over the city; they’re starting to move those out of the way,” Garcia said.
According to the State Department, most Mexican airports are now operating normally.
Aviation expert for 10 Tampa Bay News, Mark Weinkrantz, said travelers should expect an increased military presence as authorities seek to protect tourism over the next several days to weeks.
“If you’re in Mexico, you want to get out. When they tell you it’s safe, it’s time to go. Will this situation improve over time? We can hope, but we have no control,” Weinkrantz said.
Experts also advise international travelers to ensure their passports are valid for at least six months beyond their travel dates and to know the locations of the nearest U.S. embassies or consulates in the countries they are visiting.