Mexico Travel Alert: Cartel Violence, Flight Cancellations and a $1,300 Penalty

FreddyO

February 24, 2026

A new travel alert for Mexico has travelers worried, with cartel violence leading to flight cancellations. Some travelers are also facing a $1,300 penalty, and the tourism industry is feeling it.

Illustration of a Mexican Pacific beach town with a passport and boarding pass

The violence started after Mexican military forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), on February 22, 2026. Cartel members responded with roadblocks, burned vehicles and clashes with security forces across more than a dozen Mexican states.

The U.S. Embassy told Americans in affected areas to shelter in place. Airlines including United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, Air Canada and WestJet canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara and offered travel waivers so passengers could rebook. Some cruise lines also canceled stops in Puerto Vallarta.

By February 24 and 25, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the situation had calmed down, and flights at Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta started returning to normal. The State Department’s overall advisory for Mexico stayed at Level 2, “exercise increased caution,” with some states rated higher.

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, check travel.state.gov for the latest advisory for the exact state you’re visiting, confirm your flight before heading to the airport, and look into travel insurance.