The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning to British tourists in Mexico as cartel violence erupts following the killing of one of the country’s most notorious drug kingpins.
The chaos was triggered by the killing of infamous cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes - known as “El Mencho” - in a joint Mexican military and US-backed operation in Tapalpa.
The death of the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has triggered immediate retaliatory violence across Jalisco state.
Highway blockades and arson attacks have been reported throughout the region, including in Guadalajara and the major tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta.
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The Foreign Office has issued urgent guidance to British nationals in the state of Jalisco, urging them to remain indoors and avoid all non-essential travel.
The warning reads: "Serious security incidents have been reported on February 22 across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime in the municipality of Tapalpa.
"Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to stay indoors. Routes to airports may be blocked.
"You should exercise extreme caution, follow local authorities’ advice, including orders to stay indoors and avoid non‑essential travel in affected areas.
The Foreign Office has issued urgent guidance to British nationals in the state of Jalisco
| PA
Highway blockades and arson attacks have been reported throughout the region
|GETTY
"Security incidents have also been reported in other parts of Mexico.
"As the situation develops, wherever you are in Mexico, you should stay alert and follow local security advice."
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Mexico City has advised American citizens to “shelter in place until further notice”, citing “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity”.
Flight operations at Puerto Vallarta airport were severely disrupted, with all international services and most domestic routes cancelled.
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The chaos was triggered by the killing of infamous cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes
| DEAThe airport confirmed on social media: “By decision of the airlines, today, Sunday, February 22, 2026, all international operations and most of the domestic flights have been cancelled.
“We urge passengers and users to remain calm and follow all instructions provided by airport personnel at all times.”
At least 30 flights from the US, Canada and Mexico bound for Puerto Vallarta either diverted or turned back, with dozens more cancelled entirely, leaving thousands of holidaymakers stranded.
British tourists in Cancun and other Caribbean coast resorts remain unaffected, with the violence taking place around 1,000 miles away.
Flight operations at Puerto Vallarta airport were severely disrupted
|GETTY
One leading expert has warned the killing of the drug boss may not bring stability to Mexico
|GETTY
Flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick and Heathrow to Cancun operated normally, with only services to Guadalajara cancelled due to the ongoing unrest.
Sandra Pellegrini, a Latin America expert at conflict monitoring group Acled, warned the killing of the drug boss may not bring stability to Mexico, which has been gripped by cartel violence for decades.
She said: "The killing of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes marks a significant operational development for Mexican forces, but the reported immediate highway blockades and arson attacks show how quickly cartels can mobilise retaliation to demonstrate continued control.
“Past cases suggest leadership removals rarely reduce violence long term, and instead often trigger instability as factions compete for power.”
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