In bustling tourist hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, visitors have found themselves unexpectedly stuck, facing difficulties in making their way back home.

On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that airlines have temporarily halted certain flights as a precautionary step, focusing particularly on routes to Puerto Vallarta.

“We anticipate that all flights will resume either later today or by tomorrow at the latest,” she assured.

Despite these disruptions, airlines confirmed that flights to other popular destinations such as Cancun, Los Cabos, and Mexico City are operating as usual.

Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, who once served as a police officer, rose to infamy by leading the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has labeled it one of Mexico’s “most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations.”

On Sunday, an operation was executed by Mexican security forces, including multiple federal military branches, in Tapalpa, a town located in Jalisco’s western region.

More than 70 people died in the attempt to capture Cervantes and the aftermath, authorities said on Monday.

Other transport services popular with tourists have also been impacted by the violence.

Taxis and buses have been blown up by cartel members around Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Roads and highways have also been blocked.

Australian authorities have warned travellers to take care.

“Serious security incidents have been reported across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime,” the government’s Smartraveller website said in its advice.

“Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to shelter in place. There may be transport disruptions, including by air. Stay alert and follow the advice of the local authorities.”

“We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to the threat of violent crime,” Smartraveller said.

“We also continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to the states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guanajuato, Sonora, Colima and Chiapas.”

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