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…
In this post:
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.
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…
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.
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.
So I guess a future Trump pardon for “El Mencho” won’t be needed now.
What a lovely country.
Mexico always the "happy paradise" .
The intelligent way to order a taco is with a stapler to close up the tortilla . Be sure to spit out the staples .
“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!
In Related News Marriott Hotels has raised prices of Hotel Rooms in PV today. Nice!
Send in ICE.
Fully flex their trigger fingers.
Cartels will eat these over-weight, under-trained ICE clowns for brunch.
Rooting for the cartels?
@UncleRonnie US Special Forces has entered the chat.
@UncleRonnie i don't see the problem here
Bla-bla-bla...
Spring Break in Mexico - at least the Pacific coast - is finished.
and to think that Canadians thought that Florida and Arizona was bad.
You tend to jump to an awful lot of conclusions really quickly, Tim.
florida isn't on the pacific coast
Trump and US military is inbound...
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.
The Mexican military should crush this. Absurd.
As a mexican, the leftist government who is convoluted with the narco itself won't do anything... we need US intervention ASAP
1) is not a leftist country, 2) we don’t need us intervention.
Hard when the president takes cartel money.