El Mencho, Mexican drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, head of CJNG, reportedly killed in military operation, sparking violence across multiple states
El Mencho, Mexican drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, head of CJNG, reportedly killed in military operation, sparking violence across multiple states

What We Know So Far

• Official travel alerts explicitly include Americans in parts of Mexico including Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco.

• Multiple major U.S. and Canadian airlines have suspended flights, affecting travel plans for Americans in the region.

• No confirmed reports have yet named American injuries or deaths connected to the current cartel violence.

• Authorities have not released an exact count of stranded American citizens.

So far, U.S. government sources have not released an exact number of American citizens trapped or injured as violence erupted following reports that cartel boss Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed in a military operation.

Instead, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and the U.S. State Department have issued broad shelter-in-place advisories for Americans in multiple states, including Jalisco — home to busy destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Travel advisories cover not only Jalisco but also Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León due to connected unrest and cartel reprisals. While these alerts acknowledge that U.S. citizens are in potentially affected areas, officials have not provided a precise tally of those currently unable to leave or seeking help.

Read more: Who Was El Mencho? Mexico’s Most Wanted Cartel Boss Reportedly Killed in Army Raid

Are Any Americans Reported Injured or Killed?

At this stage, there are no confirmed reports of U.S. citizens being killed or seriously injured in the current wave of violence linked to El Mencho’s reported death. The chaos has included fires, roadblocks and clashes between cartel members and security forces, but verified civilian casualty figures specific to Americans have not yet emerged from Mexican or U.S. government sources.

This absence of confirmed injuries or deaths among Americans in the ongoing situation does not rule out that individuals may have been affected — only that official sources have not yet reported such details publicly.

Americans Stranded or Delayed Because of Travel Disruptions

While direct injuries are not confirmed, flight cancellations and travel disruptions have clearly impacted U.S. travelers:

  • United Airlines, Air Canada, Southwest, Delta and Alaska Airlines canceled or suspended flights to and from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, creating travel delays and stranding passengers in the area.

  • Airports remain key focus points of uncertainty and heightened alert, and many travelers — including Americans — have reported being instructed to remain in hotels or safe areas until security stabilizes.

These cancellations and logistical issues have effectively left some Americans temporarily unable to leave the affected region, even if they are not directly harmed by violence.

Read more: Mexican Resort Town and Airport Under Siege After Death of Cartel Leader

Guidance From U.S. Officials

The U.S. Embassy and State Department continue to emphasize safety and communication:

  • Americans are advised to shelter in place, avoid public travel and large gatherings, and closely monitor local news — both English- and Spanish-language — for updates.

  • U.S. citizens abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alerts and make it easier for the Embassy to reach them in an emergency. While specific casualty numbers are not yet available, this system helps officials stay connected with Americans in high-risk zones.