On Sunday, airlines in the U.S. and Canada canceled flights to certain areas in Mexico. This came after Mexican authorities reported the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, aka “El Mencho,” during a military operation. The situation escalated with clashes noted in Jalisco state, prompting travel advisories.
United Airlines took action by canceling all flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. They confirmed in a statement, “United flights to and from PVR (Puerto Vallarta) and GDL (Guadalajara) are canceled today.”
Likewise, Southwest Airlines canceled its flights to Puerto Vallarta, turning back some already in the air. “We have canceled four flights scheduled for today to Puerto Vallarta and have turned back four flights,” the airline reported, emphasizing safety as its top priority.
American Airlines followed suit, canceling flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Mazatlan for the rest of Sunday. Their statement noted that they would continue to assess the situation to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Air Canada temporarily halted operations in Puerto Vallarta as well. As of the latest updates, no future cancellations beyond Sunday had been reported.
Travelers at one of Mexico’s major airports experienced panic due to the outbreak of cartel violence. Many were left scrambling as airlines issued travel waivers, allowing affected passengers to rebook without incurring extra fees.
This flight disruption followed a military operation early Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco, aimed at El Mencho, who emerged as the leader of the Jalisco New Cartel after the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. The cartel has grown significantly over the last 15 years, evolving from a local criminal group to a global human trafficking organization.
Officials cautioned about ongoing clashes and heightened criminal activity in Jalisco, leading the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to issue a shelter-in-place advisory for multiple states.
After news of El Mencho’s death, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau celebrated the event, calling it a significant victory in the fight against drug-related violence. He emphasized that this is a positive turning point for not just Mexico, but also the broader region.
The operation was a result of joint efforts between Mexican security forces and U.S. authorities, who provided critical intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s demise.
Additional comments from Air Canada have yet to be made.
