Americans Warned To Avoid Mexican Border Towns, Shelter In Place Amid Explosion Of Cartel Violence

SAN DIEGO, CA — The U.S. Department of State advised United States citizens in Mexico to shelter in place and avoid traveling to wide swaths of Mexico in the grips of cartel warfare Monday.

At least 73 people died in Mexico's attempt to capture the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the violent aftermath of his death, authorities said Monday as much of the country feared another wave of violence.

The body count taken by security officials included security forces, suspected cartel members and others.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, called “El Mencho,” was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against government officials. Officials said he was the founder and leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which controls drug trafficking, extortion and other rackets throughout Mexico.

The organization responded to his death with widespread violence, including blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles.

Oseguera Cervantes died after a shootout in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military tried to capture him. Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said Monday that authorities had followed one of Oseguera Cervantes' romantic partners to his hideout in Tapalpa.

Oseguera Cervantes and two bodyguards fled into a wooded area where they were seriously wounded in a firefight. They were taken into custody and died on the way to Mexico City, Trevilla said.

In a different location in Jalisco, soldiers also killed another high-ranking cartel member who Trevilla said was coordinating violence and offering more than $1,000 for every soldier killed.

The dead included 25 members of the Mexican National Guard who were killed in six separate attacks, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said.

Many areas where the violence continues are now under the State Department's "Don Not Travel" orders, and cities bordering California are labeled, "Reconsider Travel."

A San Diego woman vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was among the Americans advised to shelter in place Sunday at the resort where she is staying, as violence erupted around the city and throughout western Mexico.

"Interesting last full day in Puerto Vallarta today before heading home tomorrow ????." San Diego attorney Leslie Devaney posted Sunday on Facebook. "Got to lobby of our building this morning as we witnessed men dressed in black with masks igniting cars on the street and then gunfire and blasts all around the area. We hurried back to our rooms to shelter as advised by staff."

Devaney told City News Service via Facebook Messenger that it appeared the cartel was demonstrating a show of power to Mexican federal officials across the state.

"Streets were abandoned and no apparent attempt to harm tourists," Devaney said. "We are confined to our rooms for today."

While Devaney said she was not concerned for her safety, she wasn't so sure about leaving Mexico on Monday as scheduled.

"We are sheltering in place in Zona Romantica. Seems like tourists are not targeted," Devaney said. "Not concerned for safety from what I hear. Don't know if I'll make it out as planned tomorrow, but flight still says going."

Meantime, the U.S. Consulate issued a warning to potential visitors to towns along the border.

"There are reports of roadblocks and criminal activity in Tecate, Ensenada, and in Tijuana," the advisory said. "U.S. Consulate staff have been instructed to shelter in place. Monitor local news. Inform your friends and family of your welfare and whereabouts."

Emergency assistance for U.S. citizens was available at 55-8526 2561 from Mexico and +1-844-528-6611 from the United States.

Officials also suggested that travelers enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov to receive timely updates on safety and security information from the Consulate.

Many fear more violence

The U.S. Embassy said via X that its personnel in eight cities and in Michoacan would shelter in place and work remotely Monday. It warned U.S. citizens in many parts of Mexico to do the same.

Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the workweek, a notable change from Sunday, when Jalisco's state capital and Mexico's second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.

More than 1,000 people were stuck overnight in Guadalajara’s zoo, where they slept in buses. On Monday morning, mothers wrapped in blankets carried their toddlers out of the buses for a much-needed bathroom break as police trucks guarded the area.

Luis Soto Rendón, the zoo’s director, said many had been trapped there since Sunday morning, when violence broke out in Jalisco and the surrounding states. Families concluded they could not return home in nearby states like Zacatecas and Michoacan.

“We decided to let people stay inside the zoo for their safety,” Soto said. “There are small children and senior citizens.”

City News Service, The Associated Press and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.