Ground Transport and Flight Disruptions Persist in Parts of Mexico Amid Violence

Jalisco experienced the most significant disruptions following the operation in Tapalpa. Suspected Cartel members burned multiple vehicles, including private cars and public transport units, and used them to establish blockades on major roads, particularly in the Guadalajara metropolitan area and around Puerto Vallarta. Vehicles were set on fire and positioned to obstruct key corridors, disrupting traffic and impeding security force movements.

State authorities have activated a Codigo Rojo (Red Alert) security posture as federal and state forces coordinate response operations. The Secretary of Transport announced that public transport will resume Feb. 23.  

Spillover impacts linked to the unrest have also been reported beyond Jalisco, including parts of the states of Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Guanajuato, as well as Baja California.  

The US Mission Mexico has issued an updated security alert advising US citizens in multiple states, including Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), Quintana Roo (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Nayarit (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta), Sinaloa (including Mazatlan) and parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, the State of Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas states, to shelter in place until further notice.

All US government staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzman, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Reynosa, Tijuana, and Michoacan have been directed to shelter in place, and US citizens in these areas are advised to do the same. US government staff at the Consulate General Monterrey have been directed to remain within the Monterrey metropolitan area, and US government staff have been directed not to travel to Mazatlan through Feb. 25. The governments of Australia, Belize, Canada, and India have issued similar precautionary guidance to their citizens. 

Air travel disruptions are continuing at Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) and Guadalajara International Airport (GDL). Ongoing road blockages and security operations could continue to constrain ground mobility and complicate airport access in the near term.

Inbound travelers:

• Defer all non-essential travel to Jalisco, and nearby states (Guerrero, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacan), Tamaulipas, and Nuevo Leon states; if travel is essential, proceed only with robust security support.  
• Suspend all domestic road movements within affected states until the situation stabilizes. Travel to unaffected states can continue with heightened caution.  

In-country personnel:

• Shelter in place in Jalisco, and nearby states (Guerrero, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacan), Tamaulipas, and Nuevo Leon states.  
• Maintain a grab bag and at least a 72-hour supply of essentials, including water, food, medications, cash, and power banks, and ensure travel documents are readily available.  
• If clashes occur nearby, withdraw immediately to a secure, non-governmental building and notify management and Crisis24.  
• Monitor reliable channels for movement restrictions, transport, and airport updates; maintain contact with diplomatic representatives.  
• Outside the identified states, minimize non-essential movement over the next 24 hours due to the possibility of violence spreading with little or no notice.  
• Maintain a heightened security posture, with plans to shelter in place or evacuate in the event of a sudden escalation of violence near your area.  

For more information on Crisis24 security services available in Mexico, please contact us directly.  

Learn more about leveraging intelligence to stay ahead of risks to your people and operations.