What to know about the Mexico travel warning as violence rocks the country

force erupted in Mexico on Sunday, with gunmen blocking highways and setting cars ablaze in several cities, citizens in a popular beachside resort town being advised to shelter in place and Canadian airlines cancelling flights to and from the region.

Global Affairs Canada is advising people to exercise a high degree of caution if they are in Mexico and avoid non-essential travel in several states, saying that the security situation "could deteriorate rapidly" across the country.

"The safety and security of Canadians abroad remains our top priority," Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said in a news conference Monday.

But what happened? Which areas are the most dangerous? And what about the thousands of Canadians currently stranded in Puerto Vallarta?

Let's break it down.

Anand says her Mexican counterpart 'expects the situation to normalize' in the coming days

Yesterday, one of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or "El Mencho," was killed in a military raid. His death promptly sparked widespread retaliatory violence. 

After reports of the 59-year-old leader's death, cartel henchmen blockaded highways with burning cars and torched businesses in more than a half ⁠a dozen states, paralyzing parts of ⁠the country, reports The Associated Press.

In all, at least 73 people were dead, according to a body count taken by security officials after the operation and the ensuing violence. That figure includes security forces, suspected cartel members and others, the AP reports.

"El Mencho" was known to be the mastermind of a powerful group — the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The group is notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against government officials who challenged it, notes AP.

Right now, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is warning Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico "due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping."

Canadians in Mexico are being told to avoid all non-essential travel to numerous states "due to high levels of violence and organized crime," with GAC warning the security situation "could deteriorate rapidly" across the country.

GAC notes there are shelter-in-place orders in Jalisco (including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta) and Nayarit, and warn that "similar instructions, including curfews, may be issued on short notice in other areas of the country."

Canadians in Mexico are being urged to keep a low profile, follow the advice of local authorities and keep an eye on the news, since the situation is rapidly evolving.

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

The violence began in Jalisco state, where there's a shelter-in-place order, which includes the popular beach resort Puerto Vallarta.

In Puerto ‌Vallarta, frightened tourists posted on social media, describing the area as a "war zone" as plumes of dark smoke rose into the sky from around the bay. Canadians in the region have described a scary situation on the ground, saying they're hearing explosions and have scant information.

GAC also warned there have been "security incidents" in other areas in the county, especially: Guerrero, including Acapulco; Michoacán; Sinaloa, including Mazatlán; Quintana Roo, including Cancun; Baja California, including Tijuana and Tecate; and Nayarit.

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

Anand said Monday that 26,305 Canadians in Mexico have registered with GAC. But those numbers are estimates, based on a voluntary registry of Canadians abroad.

"We know the actual number of Canadians in Mexico is likely much higher," she said.

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.

But Ian Thomson, an Ottawan who spends his winters near Guadalajara, says he's been registered with GAC in Mexico for years and hasn't heard a word from the government agency, and when he tried to call the local consulate Sunday, it was closed.

The situation has led multiple Canadian airlines to cancel flights, with Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Porter and Flair Airlines suspending service in and out of Puerto Vallarta.

WestJet and Air Transat have said they will resume scheduled flights on Tuesday.

"We are monitoring the situation and are working to bring our customers back as soon as it is safe to do so," a spokesperson said.

WestJet on Sunday diverted seven flights en route to Puerto Vallarta, cancelled many more and had cancelled all flights there Monday.

"For guests currently in destination, WestJet and Sunwing are arranging extended stays so guests can comply with local official guidelines," the airline noted on its website. 

Air Transat confirmed that all its flights to and from Puerto Vallarta for Sunday and Monday are postponed. Flights elsewhere in Mexico are proceeding as scheduled, the airline wrote on its website.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she expects flights to and from Puerto Vallarta to resume Monday or Tuesday, Reuters reports. Mexican airline Aeromexico will "gradually" resume flights to and from Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Tepic starting today, Reuters said.

Late Monday, WestJet said it will also resume service on Tuesday to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo.

Anand says Canada not sending planes to Mexico 'at this time'

Anand said Canada currently has no plans to send planes or the Canadian military to Mexico.

"We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any further details," she said.

"Due to current travel advisories, we are not yet able to operate recovery flights and will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so," the airline said.

Several Mexican states cancelled school on Monday, with local and foreign governments warning their citizens to stay inside after widespread violence erupted. Sheinbaum urged calm on Monday, and authorities said all of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states had been cleared, reports The Associated Press. 

Martin McGrenere, a Canadian tourist in Puerto Vallarta says the situation is largely starting to return to normal. But while some people are stuck inside, out of food and supplies — as many continue to shelter in place — shops are largely closed.

The situation should stabilize in the coming days, and this is a targeted issue that will not continue, Anand said Monday.

Canadian in Puerto Vallarta recounts watching firebombings, cartel violence from roof

The atmosphere inside the resorts is actually pretty calm since they're so isolated, says Covy Moore, 37, who is staying in a hotel just north of Puerto Vallarta with his girlfriend.

"Folks here are reeling from an action against a criminal organization, and I am sipping a margarita on the beach while the sky behind me was smokey and black," he said.

Moore and his girlfriend, Michele Greer, bought their trip through a charity auction, and opted out of the all-inclusive membership. The plan had been to buy groceries at Walmart on Sunday to save money, Moore said.

It was when the resort told them they couldn't leave the hotel to access a taxi that they realized what was happening, Moore said. Now, they're relying on the resort's market for food, which is both overpriced and completely out of bread, eggs, and big water bottles, he added.

Still, he said, "our inconvenience pales in comparison to what the locals must feel."

They scheduled to fly home Saturday via Flair Airlines.

"We aren't worried about getting home unless things get way worse," Moore said.

Senior Writer & Editor

---

---