Mexico travel advisory: Death of cartel leader sparks unrest
Some airlines suspend flights to Mexico
Some airlines have suspended flights to Mexico following the killing of "El Mencho.'
LOS ANGELES - Travel advisories have been issued and several U.S. airlines have canceled flights to parts of Mexico following violent unrest in the western part of the country.
What we know:
The violence began after the Mexican army killed cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." Mexican officials say he was wounded during a raid, captured, and died during transport.
Authorities say cartel members set fires across multiple states, burning vehicles, creating black smoke and setting up roadblocks that shut down cities and paralyzed roads. Guadalajara was described as a ghost town.
Officials say El Mencho was a top target for both Mexico and the United States and was accused of fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
His death sparked a violent retaliation that left at least 14 people dead, including security forces.
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Roadblocks remain a concern, especially near major airports, and security operations are continuing. Officials warned that road conditions could still impact travel.
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), United said there were no cancellations Monday morning for flights heading to Mexico. However, United, American and Southwest canceled dozens of flights over the last 24 hours.
United says waivers remain in place, American is allowing free rebooking and Southwest is working with impacted travelers.
From what airport officials could tell, flights to Mexico appear to be resuming Monday morning.
What they're saying:
An Orange County woman who is in Guadalajara with friends said they are waiting out the unrest after checking out of their hotel and moving to a safer location recommended by locals.
"Everyone's hunkered down. Earlier, there's no one on the street, no one driving, I think a chain deck. I'm not scared anymore, I was. I'm a little bit not looking forward to the next 24 hours," she said.
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Travelers with family in parts of western Mexico say they are concerned about what is happening and are keeping a close eye on travel impacts.
What's next:
Airlines say waivers and rebooking options remain in place as they monitor the situation and resume flights.
What you can do:
Check your flight status before leaving for the airport. Many airlines are processing these changes automatically via their mobile apps, which is often faster than calling their reservation lines.
The Source: This report is based on official statements from Mexican government authorities regarding the military operation and direct updates from major U.S. airlines concerning flight cancellations and traveler waivers. It also includes accounts from travelers on site and real-time data from airport officials at LAX to track the resumption of regional travel.