Alaska Airlines has canceled 24 flights to and from Mexico, including popular destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, as violent clashes between Mexican military forces and drug cartels escalate across Jalisco and other states. The move comes after a military raid in Tapalpa, the heart of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), that targeted the cartel’s top leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho.

Cartel Kingpin Targeted in Military Raid

According to multiple reports, Mexican Army forces, supported by U.S. intelligence, conducted a raid in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where El Mencho was shot and seriously wounded. The operation took place in the cartel’s primary operational hub, a region that also includes the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta. During the raid, military personnel seized several armored vehicles and rocket launchers capable of disabling large aircraft, raising concerns about the potential for aerial threats in the region.

El Mencho, a former police officer, has long been considered one of the most powerful figures in Mexico’s drug trafficking landscape. He is directly linked to the CJNG, a cartel responsible for a significant portion of the fentanyl that flows into the United States, according to U.S. law enforcement officials.

Violence Spreads Across Central and Western Mexico

Authorities have issued a “Code Red” for much of central and western Mexico, including states such as Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León. In Jalisco, residents were told to shelter in place as at least 21 highways were blocked, and fires were reported in Puerto Vallarta. The situation has created widespread disruption, with travelers and residents facing uncertainty about travel and safety.

Officials have confirmed that the violence is not confined to Jalisco but has spread across multiple regions, with cartel members using burning vehicles and roadblocks to hinder military and police operations. In addition, 20 branches of the state-run Banco del Bienestar bank have been targeted in violent incidents, further complicating the security landscape.

Alaska Airlines confirmed that 44 flights were canceled from SeaTac International Airport, though it is unclear how many of these were specifically to or from Mexico. However, officials explicitly stated that 24 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo had been canceled. The disruptions have affected both incoming and outgoing travelers, with some flights now operating with reduced capacity or being rerouted.

Travel Advisories and Ongoing Threats

U.S. consular officials have advised all American citizens in Mexico to remain in secure locations and avoid non-essential travel. The situation remains fluid, with reports of ongoing clashes and roadblocks along major drug trafficking routes near the U.S. border.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with no immediate end to the violence in sight. The impact on international travel is expected to persist until the security situation stabilizes, with further flight cancellations or delays possible in the coming days.

According to a report from Fox 13 in Seattle, the disruptions have affected not only commercial air travel but also local infrastructure and public services in the affected regions. The military has maintained a high profile in Jalisco, with continued operations targeting cartel strongholds.

As the conflict between the Mexican government and the CJNG intensifies, the ripple effects are being felt across the region, with airlines like Alaska Air adjusting their schedules to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.