US Government Issues Warning Amid Rising Violence in Mexico

Many Americans find themselves caught up in troubling violence in Mexico, prompting a strong warning from the White House directed at drug cartels. The message was clear: “Don’t lay a finger” on American citizens.

This unrest was triggered by the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), who was killed during a military operation in collaboration with US intelligence.

In light of the escalating violence following El Mencho’s death, the US government has advised both tourists and officials in affected areas to stay put until safety improves.

“We encourage all Americans in Mexico to heed the guidance from the State Department. So far, we haven’t received reports of any Americans being harmed,” said White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt. She also stated, “Mexican drug cartels know better than to target any American, or they will face severe consequences under this president. They already are; this operation was successfully carried out by Mexican authorities with our support, but it wouldn’t have happened without President Trump’s leadership,” she noted.

This message was relayed by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, which issued a security alert detailing areas of particular concern for American citizens. These include:

• Jalisco (notably Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara)
• Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada)
• Nayarit (especially the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta region near Puerto Vallarta)
• Parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacán, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Zacatecas

The embassy indicated that Quintana Roo, which encompasses tourist hotspots like Cancun and Tulum, has returned to a more stable situation after recent incidents.

“Due to ongoing security operations and related roadblocks, U.S. citizens in certain areas are advised to shelter in place,” the embassy reported. It also mentioned that U.S. government personnel had been evacuated from several locations pending the removal of lockdowns.

A 24-hour emergency hotline has been established by the U.S. State Department to assist individuals stranded in high-risk regions, where cartel activities have blocked access and disrupted transportation.

The retaliatory violence comes after an effective operation that targeted the CJNG leadership, which rose to power following the removal of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

“Our main focus is on tackling the brutal drug cartels that have caused so much harm to our country,” Leavitt reiterated.