The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), prompted road blockades and alerts in several Mexican states.
Disruptions and Recovery Efforts
Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public this Monday that “practically all activity has been restored.” However, some services remain suspended or are operating on a limited basis to avoid risking public safety. Authorities reported that as of Monday morning, the country was largely free of major road blockades, following 85 blockades registered on Sunday across 11 states. Jalisco authorities continue working to clear remaining road obstructions.
Airports across the country are operating normally, though some airlines are experiencing delays and cancellations. The Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico—which operates 12 terminals including those in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta—reported flight disruptions and advises passengers to contact airlines directly. Aeromexico announced a gradual resumption of flights to Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic, even as VivaAerobus and Volaris are offering passengers options to modify or change their flights. Mexico City International Airport is also operating normally.
Bus lines have resumed service to states in the north and central parts of the country, but routes to Jalisco and neighboring states—Colima, Nayarit, Sinaloa, and Zacatecas—remain suspended. Primera Plus informed passengers via Whatsapp that “conditions are being evaluated for the remainder of services.” State-owned oil company Pemex announced its operations are normal, with guaranteed national fuel supply and continued monitoring of its facilities.
Regional Impacts and Service Suspensions
In Jalisco, state health services and major public hospitals are operating without interruption, but under increased security measures. The Guadalajara electric train is running normally after a Sunday suspension, and state government offices are open. Several state governments suspended in-person classes on Monday as a precautionary measure, including Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, and Michoacán, which suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools. Zacatecas saw partial school closures in some municipalities, and 14 of 125 municipalities in the State of Mexico also suspended classes.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) suspended activities at its schools in Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Querétaro. In Mexico City, UNAM suspended activities in some faculties and advised students from other states to remain in their home states. In Jalisco, supermarkets, gyms, and hardware stores remain closed or have modified their hours. Walmart de México and Centroamérica announced modifications to service hours at some stores—including Bodega Aurrera, Sams Club, Walmart Express, and Walmart—and provided a webpage for customers to contact them via Whatsapp. Gym chain Smart Fit announced the preventative closure of its branches in Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, León, and Guanajuato. Clothing and appliance retailer Coppel announced its Jalisco stores will remain closed until further notice. BBVA México bank announced the closure of all branches in Jalisco and some in Colima, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Tamaulipas, while the rest of the country’s branches remain open.
FEMSA—parent company of Oxxo convenience stores and gas stations—reported over 200 incidents at its establishments, without specifying locations, and will maintain preventative closures in several states, which were not named. Palacio de Hierro luxury department store announced via Instagram that its Guadalajara branch will remain closed on February 23rd and will communicate its reopening date through the same channels, while other stores nationwide are operating normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the disruptions across Mexico?
The death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), prompted road blockades and alerts in several states.
What is the current status of air travel in Mexico?
Airports across the country are operating normally, whereas some airlines are experiencing delays and cancellations.
Which states have suspended in-person classes?
Jalisco, Nayarit, Colima, and Michoacán have suspended classes at all levels in public and private schools. Zacatecas saw partial school closures in some municipalities, and 14 of 125 municipalities in the State of Mexico also suspended classes.
As the situation evolves, will the CJNG’s influence diminish, or might other criminal groups attempt to fill the power vacuum?
