Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, who once served as a police officer, emerged as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has identified as one of the most dominant and brutal criminal entities in Mexico.

In a coordinated effort, multiple branches of Mexico’s federal military launched an operation in Tapalpa, a town situated in the western state of Jalisco, earlier today (AEDT).

The operation led to a confrontation between CJNG operatives and government forces, resulting in the death of four cartel members at the scene, as reported by Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defence.

Oseguera, along with two others, sustained severe injuries and passed away while being airlifted to Mexico City, according to the secretariat’s statement.

This violent encounter instigated a series of security disturbances throughout various regions of Mexico, as suspected cartel affiliates took action in the streets.

In light of these events, Australian officials are advising travelers to exercise heightened caution.

“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 updated 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.”

Other security incidents have been reported in the regions of Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon.

“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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