Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) urged spring breakers considering trips to Mexico to rethink their plans due to escalating violence following the recent death of cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes at the hands of Mexican soldiers. This call to action came during his segment on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” where he referenced a conversation with his chiropractor, who intends to travel to the popular resort city of Cancun. “Is anyone still planning to go to Mexico for spring break? I couldn’t believe it when my chiropractor told me he was going. I said, ‘Are you out of your mind?'” Marin remarked. He emphasized that it’s not a safe time to visit, noting, “It’s very unstable, and the United States is monitoring the situation closely.”
These remarks coincided with a major operation by the Mexican army in Tapalpa, Jalisco, aimed at capturing El Mencho, a former police officer turned leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, identified by U.S. authorities as a significant source of fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. El Mencho rose to prominence after being placed on the U.S. radar with a $15 million bounty following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa cartel. Over the last 15 years, the Jalisco cartel has transitioned from a local gang to a formidable international criminal enterprise.
The Mexican military indicated that this operation was a result of ongoing collaboration with U.S. authorities, whose intelligence was crucial in El Mencho’s elimination. In the wake of his death, violent reactions ensued, including cars being set ablaze and roads being obstructed across various states in Mexico. Reports of clashes emerged from regions in western Mexico, though authorities later claimed that the situation was stabilizing.
The Mexican embassy in the U.S. announced a return to normalcy following the targeted operation in Jalisco, stating, “Federal and state officials are collaborating to reopen transport routes and restore public services.” They assured that airline operations had resumed, including at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which is back to offering domestic flights. Visitors are advised that local security measures remain in effect while travel corridors return to full operation, signaling efforts to maintain safety across tourist areas.
Despite this, the U.S. State Department maintains its travel advisory for Mexico. Previously, a shelter-in-place directive had been issued for Americans in Mexico but has since been lifted. The State Department is reportedly receiving numerous calls from Americans currently in Mexico seeking guidance.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is recognized as the most dominant cartel in Mexico, reportedly with around 19,000 members active in 21 of the country’s 32 states. The Trump administration had classified this cartel as a foreign terrorist organization. In light of recent events, Marin suggested that the fragmentation of the cartel presents a significant opportunity for both the U.S. and Mexico to tackle the problem of organized crime. “Will we eradicate drug trafficking completely? Certainly not. But we will address it,” he concluded.
