Violence has erupted in parts of Mexico after the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the country’s most wanted drug lord.el mancho,” on Sunday.
Several highways were blocked and vehicles and buildings were burned. At least 25 National Guard members were killed in subsequent clashes with armed groups.
The unrest also spread to the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination for American tourists.
US security alert
The U.S. Department of State released security alert U.S. citizens in certain areas are urged to shelter in place.
This consultation includes –
- Jalisco (including puerto vallartaChapala and Guadalajara)
- Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada)
- State of Nayarit (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta region near Puerto Vallarta)
- Regions in the states of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Mexico, Michoacán, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and Zacatecas
The alert also states that “all U.S. government staff at the Consulate General in Monterrey have been instructed to remain in the Monterrey metropolitan area, and U.S. government staff have been instructed not to travel to Mazatlan until Wednesday.”
In Puerto Vallarta, some flights were disrupted due to crew vacancies. The U.S. Embassy said it was in close contact with the airline to monitor developments.
“All other airports in Mexico are open and most are operating normally. If you are passing through any airport other than Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, we have not received any indication of security-related flight disruptions. Please contact your airline to confirm your flight status and schedule,” the alert said.
“Some (but not all) scheduled flights depart from Guadalajara; if your flight to the United States is canceled, you may be able to book a connecting flight through another Mexican city.”
How was El Mencho killed?
Oseguera Cervantes was seriously wounded in a shootout in his home state, the Associated Press reported. Jalisco when Mexican troops tried to capture him.
Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said authorities tracked a lover of Oseguera Cervantes to a hideout in Tapalpa.
Oseguera Cervantes and two bodyguards fled into a wooded area and were seriously wounded in the crossfire. They were detained but died en route to Mexico City.
(With input from The Associated Press)
