Chaos At Mexican Airports, As Cartel Attacks After Death Of “El Mencho”

Chaos At Mexican Airports, As Cartel Attacks After Death Of “El Mencho”

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If you have plans to travel to Mexico’s Jalisco region in the near future, you may want to (or may be forced to) reconsider…

Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta under attack by cartel

Reports suggest that a targeted military operation in Mexico has just taken out Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” who was the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). CJNG was formed in 2009, and has become one of the biggest and most violent drug cartels in Mexico.

In response to this, there are large scale coordinated attacks across the Jalisco region, with the goal of causing as much damage and chaos as possible.

It’s hard to fully know what’s going on given what a rapidly evolving situation this is, but based on reports, there was a possible active shooter situation at Guadalajara Airport (GDL).

Puerto Vallarta is also under attack by the cartel, with widespread reports of arson. The cartel has been trying to create “choke points,” to prevent police from entering, and trapping residents and tourists within specific zones. Obviously the goal is partly to intimidate law enforcement, so we’ll see how this plays out.

As you’d expect, this is having huge implications for airlines, and all flights to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) have been canceled for the foreseeable future.

https://twitter.com/DonStefan____/status/2025648399060545793

I hope everyone stays safe, this is awful

Mexico is a beautiful country with so much to offer — beautiful scenery, friendly people, and amazing food. By and large, Mexico is very safe, though there’s always the complicated relationship between the government and the cartels. The government has a duty to protect the population, while the cartels, well… we know what they’re doing.

So while there’s peace in Mexico a vast majority of the time, sometimes situations like this happen. The sad thing is that Mexico’s economy (especially in some regions) is heavily reliant on tourism. Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, so this will no doubt have an impact.

I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling there in the coming days (if it’s even possible — we’ll see for how long flights are suspended).

Given the geography here, I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable traveling to other parts of Mexico, at least for now. But keep in mind for the cartels, creating chaos and scaring people off is the goal, so we’ll have to see how this plays out. Most importantly, I hope that civilian casualties are limited here…

Bottom line

One of the biggest cartel bosses in Mexico has just been taken down in a military operation. This is having huge implications for the Jalisco region, given that this is where the cartel was based. Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta are reportedly under attack, including the airports. That’s not at all a good situation, so I hope everyone stays safe.

Both airports have been closed temporarily, so this is definitely a situation to monitor…

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  1. Dusty Guest

    Gotta love the duality of MAGA. Mexico's president goes after and kills a cartel leader, due to pressure from Trump and with US intel assistance, and then gets blamed for the resulting chaos when a massive paramilitary organization goes wild with random acts of violence. This is what "going hard" on the cartels looks like. Innocent people get caught up in the crossfire, because in case you morons didn't learn your lesson in the Middle...

    Gotta love the duality of MAGA. Mexico's president goes after and kills a cartel leader, due to pressure from Trump and with US intel assistance, and then gets blamed for the resulting chaos when a massive paramilitary organization goes wild with random acts of violence. This is what "going hard" on the cartels looks like. Innocent people get caught up in the crossfire, because in case you morons didn't learn your lesson in the Middle East, insurgencies are hard to fight and never fight clean.

    You know what's easier and doesn't cause all the death and mayhem? Stop using the drugs these cartels make their money off of. Provide long-term public housing and rehabilitation support for the addicts. These cartels make bank because *Americans* are consuming their products. But no, yall think Sicario was real life and addicts deserve to have their lives ruined with no way out. Bunch of completely unserious people.

  2. Luke Guest

    The st regis punta mita is one of the best uses of the amex bonvoy brilliant 85k certificate in north america and was looking to book a few nights later this year. Hope situation stabilizes soon

  3. George N Romey Guest

    A country and it's President controlled by the cartels.

    1. 1990 Guest

      You’re soooo right… corporate power (cartels) and the oligarchs behind them are out of control in the United States of America these days… the Epstein class needs to go!

    2. NedsKid Diamond

      George Soros needs to go!

  4. Cantmakeitup Guest

    FlyerDon's pardon comment really captures the delusions of the socialists (not sure why anyone is still calling them democrats) so well. First, I guess in Don's scrutiny of Biden's 1000's of pardons and acts of clemency he didn't find a single person wo was 'bad'. Second, Trump is the one who said he would use the military against drug cartels because of the threat they pose to the US. Third, it's the socialists who are...

    FlyerDon's pardon comment really captures the delusions of the socialists (not sure why anyone is still calling them democrats) so well. First, I guess in Don's scrutiny of Biden's 1000's of pardons and acts of clemency he didn't find a single person wo was 'bad'. Second, Trump is the one who said he would use the military against drug cartels because of the threat they pose to the US. Third, it's the socialists who are openly threatening violence against law enforcement for trying to go after criminals who come across the border (a nurse told other medical professionals to kill ICE agents). Fourth, it's the socialist who openly protect anyone who illegally crosses the border, regardless of criminal history. Oh and why are they doing it? For the sole reason of manufacturing blue votes - with population shifts of people to southern states it's no secrets that the census projection is states like NY and CA will loose house seats. Finally, socialist high school students decided to protest ICE by doing what? robbing and looting stores last week!

    1. Ole Guest

      Your post doesn't align with your name. Ironic

  5. Mantis Diamond

    That's who democrats are fighting tooth and nail to keep in our country. Borders matter.

    1. 1990 Guest

      There you go again, Dr. Tobaggan… You abandoned our country and fled to Asia, remember?

    2. Tim Dunn Diamond

      we can only wish you would

  6. 1990 Guest

    Oof. PVR airport is chaotic enough already… now this! *facepalm*

    1. NedsKid Diamond

      Some people would pay a lot for a vacation in a situation like this. Just saying....

  7. FNT Delta Diamond Guest

    We're literally 2 weeks out from peak spring break. I wonder how many folks cancel.

    1. Pari Passu Guest

      Honestly, probably not as many as many of us would think.

  8. Rod Guest

    Just checking into PVR (Puerto Valarta Int'l). Doesn't appear that Delta flies there. Great day for Tom Deuce (William Wonker, also known as Tim Dunn!) Seeing as he needed a "win" given all the terrible press about Delta over the past week! United beating them out in business class, Skytracks there share pricing Dropping by 35%. Anyways Tim DummyDummyDunce. You've earned a drink in light of this "Wonderful" news that your airline is not impacted...

    Just checking into PVR (Puerto Valarta Int'l). Doesn't appear that Delta flies there. Great day for Tom Deuce (William Wonker, also known as Tim Dunn!) Seeing as he needed a "win" given all the terrible press about Delta over the past week! United beating them out in business class, Skytracks there share pricing Dropping by 35%. Anyways Tim DummyDummyDunce. You've earned a drink in light of this "Wonderful" news that your airline is not impacted by this!

    Or perhaps hold the phone, maybe are perhaps they possibly Just too stupid to fly there?? Seeing as it is the second largest tourism Hub on the country ?? Better pour the drink out TripleDunce it seems that Delta strategy has Failed them yet again !

    1. MaxPower Diamond

      Life would be better if tim Dunn used relevant data
      But it would be better all around if we all used data.
      Delta certainly flies to Pvr on their own metal, not as much as aa and UA, but they certainly fly there

    2. Tim Dunn Diamond

      of course DL flies to PVR. If Rod had spent a tad more time looking for relevant data, he could have found DL's cxld flights from yesterday to PVR

      as for your idea of relevant data, max, we have been through it on umpteen different topics but the word "relevant" is not what should be focused on but "accurate" rather than "cherrypicked"

      You and anyone else are more than happy to debate the facts that I bring to the table.

    3. Udo Diamond

      My goodness… how did this turn into a TD thread? He is living rent free in your head, isn’t he. ROFL.

    4. Tim Dunn Diamond

      and the complete irony is that they yap about wanting me to post less and then do this kind of stuff.

      **I** always get the last laugh

  9. RovinMoses Guest

    Picture of burning cars is by the Marina where cruise ships dock, and across from Walmart. Friend in Bucerias says everything is shut down. No one going anywhere at the moment.

  10. Steve S Guest

    I'm really disappointed in the comments, I came for some good political bouts, threats, snide comments and such but this is light shots so far. Maybe bc it's Sunday.

    1. 1990 Guest

      It’s also Ramadan, so maybe everyone is fasting until sundown. Who knows. I hope you get your wish, habibi.

  11. KlimaBXsst Guest

    The murder of University of Texas - Austin Student Mark Kilroy ended my belief in Mexico as having any form of worthy government. The seeds of incompetence were sewn back then by Mexico of ever becoming a true first world partner to the US and Canada. Hopefully the Mexican government with the help of Central America (or Argentina wink) can redeem itself of being the largest of the banana drug republic in the North American...

    The murder of University of Texas - Austin Student Mark Kilroy ended my belief in Mexico as having any form of worthy government. The seeds of incompetence were sewn back then by Mexico of ever becoming a true first world partner to the US and Canada. Hopefully the Mexican government with the help of Central America (or Argentina wink) can redeem itself of being the largest of the banana drug republic in the North American Hemisphere.

    Such a shame for the people of Mexico as it really is a beautiful country, with awesome people.

    1. MaxPower Diamond

      You’ve really been hanging on to that murder. Rip, mark

      You’ve been missing out for 37 years!

  12. FlyerDon Guest

    So I guess a future Trump pardon for “El Mencho” won’t be needed now.

  13. Engel Diamond

    What a lovely country.

  14. Alert Guest

    Mexico always the "happy paradise" .

    1. Alert Guest

      The intelligent way to order a taco is with a stapler to close up the tortilla . Be sure to spit out the staples .

  15. PP Guest

    “Puerto Vallarta is also under attack by the cartel, with widespread reports of arson. The cartel has been trying to create “choke points,” to prevent police from entering, and trapping residents and tourists within specific zones. Obviously the goal is partly to intimidate law enforcement, so we’ll see how this plays out.”

    Sounds like Minneapolis!

  16. You are screued now! Guest

    In Related News Marriott Hotels has raised prices of Hotel Rooms in PV today. Nice!

  17. Eskimo Guest

    Send in ICE.

    Fully flex their trigger fingers.

    1. UncleRonnie Diamond

      Cartels will eat these over-weight, under-trained ICE clowns for brunch.

    2. Charles S. Guest

      @UncleRonnie US Special Forces has entered the chat.

    3. digital_notmad Diamond

      @UncleRonnie i don't see the problem here

  18. Tim Dunn Diamond

    Spring Break in Mexico - at least the Pacific coast - is finished.

    and to think that Canadians thought that Florida and Arizona was bad.

    1. John Guest

      You tend to jump to an awful lot of conclusions really quickly, Tim.

    2. digital_notmad Diamond

      florida isn't on the pacific coast

    3. Julia Guest

      Where does he say Florida is on the Pacific Coast? Or do you just have reading comprehension issues?

    4. Tim Dunn Diamond

      what a bunch of losers. Or perhaps in this case loser Canadians.

      no one said that either Florida or Arizona is on the Pacific coast.

      and, yes, Spring Break traffic to Mexico will take a hit.

      I am sure we won't get the endless countdown about how the negative impact on US bookings but it will happen

    5. 1990 Guest

      You’re up early, Tim. Bookings will be down generally because the economy sucks right now, thanks to your guy… tariffs, blowing boats up in the Caribbean, etc.

  19. Lieflat19 Diamond

    Trump and US military is inbound...

  20. CF FROST Guest

    I’m in Puerto Vallarta right now. There is indeed some comotion today with cars and busses set fire. There is absolutely no sign that visitors are targeted. The dispute is between the cartel and authorities. Some news coverage seems exaggerated. Most visitors are lounging by the pool and keeping a low profile.

    1. JMB Guest

      Thanks CF - I am also in PV and agree 100% with your comments. It was a few hours of planned chaos with no civilian injuries of any kind. But the media will continue this playback of any “violent” moment they can find for days and days.

      I love that no one bothers to comment on your comment - which is the only one telling the actual truth of what’s happening. People never want...

      Thanks CF - I am also in PV and agree 100% with your comments. It was a few hours of planned chaos with no civilian injuries of any kind. But the media will continue this playback of any “violent” moment they can find for days and days.

      I love that no one bothers to comment on your comment - which is the only one telling the actual truth of what’s happening. People never want to hear that, only to perpetuate the more dramatic version.

      Ben - the PVR airport opened back up today (Sunday), less than 24 hours after this whole situation began, and I haven’t had a single upcoming guest cancel their trip in March.

  21. sandiegodereck Member

    The Mexican military should crush this. Absurd.

    1. Emil Guest

      As a mexican, the leftist government who is convoluted with the narco itself won't do anything... we need US intervention ASAP

    2. Bernardo Ng Guest

      1) is not a leftist country, 2) we don’t need us intervention.

    3. WestCoastFlyer Guest

      Correct, as was her Mentor, the previous corrupt President.

    4. UnitedEF Guest

      Hard when the president takes cartel money.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

UncleRonnie Diamond

Cartels will eat these over-weight, under-trained ICE clowns for brunch.

9
John Guest

You tend to jump to an awful lot of conclusions really quickly, Tim.

8
1990 Guest

There you go again, Dr. Tobaggan… You abandoned our country and fled to Asia, remember?

5
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