AUSTIN, Texas — Travelers arriving in Austin from Mexico on Monday described heightened anxiety and visible tension after a weekend of violence erupted across parts of the country following the killing of the leader of one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels.
Multiple flights from Mexico — including from Mexico City, Cancun, and Monterrey — touched down in Austin on Monday, with passengers saying they were relieved to be back in the United States.
Shawn Watkins, an Austin traveler who had been vacationing in Mexico City for five days, said conditions began to change toward the end of his trip.
“Creating a lot of anxiety, obviously. A lot of random texts from people you don’t usually talk to,” Watkins said.
Watkins said he noticed “higher police presence” and that people were “being a lot more skeptical” as the situation escalated.
Other travelers arriving in Austin said they were concerned for family members still in Mexico. Derek Locano, who said his mother and family live in Veracruz, described what he said unfolded there over the weekend.
“Kind of dangerous. There were shootings and explosions,” Locano said.
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According to the Associated Press, vehicles were set on fire and roads were blocked by armed individuals.
Locano, who said he lives in Monterrey and was traveling to Austin for work, said he feels safer in Texas.
“Kind of, I mean, obviously I feel safer here,” He said. “It’s kind of sad. There’s nothing we can do.”
In response to the violence, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to enhance public safety and homeland security operations across the state.
“Working to maintain the safety and security of our fellow Texans who are currently in Mexico and making sure we get them home safely,” Abbott said.
FlightAware showed a private charter flight from Puerto Vallarta to Austin on Monday afternoon, but its landing location could not be accessed.