More than 26,000 Canadians registered in Mexico, Anand says, as country reels from wave of violence

cleanup of 'El Mencho' sending 'shockwaves' through and through Mexican cartels, says former DEA chief

canadian river in Puerto Vallarta recounts watching firebombings, cartel violence from roof

Mexican cartel violence cancels flights, locks down Puerto Vallarta

Fires burn across the skyline in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta

Vehicles torched in Mexico's Jalisco after federal operation kills cartel boss

Situation in Puerto Vallarta ‘volatile,’ says Canadian vacationing in Mexico

Mexican social media influencers getting caught in cartel violence

As of this morning, 26,305 Canadians in Mexico have registered with Global Affairs Canada, Anand said. 

That's an increase of 8,000 people from the same time yesterday.

"We know that the actual number of Canadians in Mexico is much higher," she said, noting that the registration is voluntary. Anand urged all Canadians in Mexico to register with GAC.

The phone number to call to register if you're a Canadian in Mexico is: 613-996-8885.

Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Anand said she is in contact with her Mexican counterpart, who "expects the situation to normalize in the coming days." 

The foreign affairs minister said the situation in Mexico "remains fluid," but that officials are working to ensure that Canadians remain safe.

"All Canadians in affected regions should heed the direction of local authorities and only travel … when it is safe to do so," Anand said.

Vigil says while some information was provided from the U.S. As part of Mexico's operation, the U.S. Should not be taking credit.

In a social media post this morning, Trump called on Mexico to ​boost its ​efforts targeting drug cartels.

"Mexico must step ​up their ⁠effort on ⁠Cartels and ⁠Drugs!" ⁠he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Killing of 'El Mencho' sending 'shockwaves' through Mexican cartels, says former DEA chief

Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, says the Mexican military operation that killed the cartel leader known as 'El Mencho' will disrupt the flow of drugs into the U.S., at least temporarily, but his Jalisco New Generation Cartel is now using to violence to show authorities and rival cartels that they are still powerful.

As mentioned earlier, Sheinbaum has been facing mounting pressure from the U.S. To crack down on drug cartel operations in her country. 

The unfolding violence is expected to make a dent on the amount of incoming drugs to the U.S., says Mike Vigil, former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief of international operations.

"Right now, the cartel is in shock because everybody believed that [El Mencho] was invincible."

Vigil says the cartel leader's death has sent "psychological shockwaves" through the cartel.

"Yesterday there were 252 blockades in multiple states throughout Mexico. And those blockades where they were burning buses, vehicles, shutting down roadways … was to serve two purposes: to send a message to Mexico that they're still powerful and to tread lightly on them, and also to send a message to rival cartels not to come into their territory."

Mexico's Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said 25 members of the National Guard died in attacks in ​Jalisco state in the aftermath of El Mencho's death, Reuters reports.

One ⁠official ⁠with the ‌state attorney's office was also killed, Harfuch said at a news conference.

He also said 30 cartel operatives were killed in Jalisco and four others were killed in Michoacan, according to The Associated Press and Reuters.

Reuters says one bystander has been killed in the clashes, as retaliatory attacks continued.

Meanwhile, 70 people have been arrested in seven states amid the widespread violence, Harfuch said.

Sheinbaum said she expects flights to and from Puerto Vallarta to resume today or tomorrow, Reuters reports.

So far, airlines have not confirmed when their flights to the Mexican city will continue. Flair Airlines tentatively rebooked Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara flights to Tuesday, pending any changes, as we noted earlier.

Mexican Defence Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said that information leading to the death of El Mencho stemmed from a ​romantic partner of ⁠the crime ⁠boss, according to Reuters.

He said officials were informed of his whereabouts after a visit with the partner.

Canadian discount carrier Flair Airlines says it has rebooked Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara flights to Tuesday, but says those are "subject to airport operations."Like other airlines, Flair cancelled flights yesterday and today.

"We are in active communication with airport authorities and partners, the government of Canada, and we are proactively contacting affected passengers directly with updates and next steps based on the information we've received from our partners," the statement said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will speak on the security situation in Mexico this morning.

Her media availability on Parliament Hill is set for 10:15 a.m. ET

At a news conference Monday morning, Sheinbaum says there are no remaining blockades in Mexico.

Mexico's president added that the most important thing right now is to guarantee peace and security for its population.

She says Mexico is calm and "at peace."

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