What Is Happening in Mexico Right Now — February 24, 2026
Mexico is in the midst of its most turbulent week in years, following Sunday's military killing of the nation's most wanted cartel boss. Here is the complete, real-time picture as of Tuesday, February 24, 2026 ET.
Breaking: U.S. Shelter-in-Place Order LIFTED — But Curfews Remain
As of Tuesday, February 24, the U.S. Embassy issued Security Alert Update 6, confirming that U.S. citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place. Public transportation and businesses are returning to normal operations. However, U.S. government staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, and Tijuana are subject to a nighttime curfew, and U.S. government staff in Jalisco State and Monterrey have been directed to remain inside their metropolitan areas.
What Triggered All of This: El Mencho Is Dead
On Sunday, February 22, the Mexican military killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes — the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) — in a raid on a cabin complex in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Mexican forces received a tip through a trusted associate of one of Oseguera's lovers, and launched the operation within 24 hours.
It was one of the bloodiest days ever for Mexican federal forces, with more than 25 National Guard members killed in Jalisco alone — the first time coordinated attacks have spread across more than 20 states at once.
Situation on the Ground Right Now
Guadalajara — a city of over 5 million people — is slowly crawling back to normalcy but remains eerily quiet. Businesses are still largely shut down, and finding basic necessities remains difficult. More cars and pedestrians appeared on Tuesday compared to Monday, but the contrast with a normal major city is stark.
Some 10,000 soldiers have been deployed across 20 of Mexico's 32 states to maintain order, with at least 2,000 sent to Jalisco alone.
Airport and Flight Status — Right Now
Flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara, and many airlines have extra flights planned for Tuesday in Puerto Vallarta. Both airports are secure and amenities are available.
| Airport | Status (Feb. 24 ET) |
|---|---|
| Guadalajara (GDL) | Open — normal schedule restored |
| Puerto Vallarta (PVR) | Open — extra flights added |
| Cancun (CUN) | Open — never closed |
| Mexico City (MEX) | Open — operating normally |
| All other Mexico airports | Normal operations |
American Airlines, United, and Delta have all waived change fees for those traveling to, through, or from Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Air Canada has resumed flights to Puerto Vallarta and plans to resume Guadalajara service on February 25.
Areas Still Under U.S. Advisory Caution
The situation has returned to normal in: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tijuana, Baja California, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Mexico City. Ongoing caution is still advised in parts of Jalisco — including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta — as well as Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.
The Bigger Fear: What Comes Next
There is no obvious successor to El Mencho. His brother, son (El Menchito), and daughter are all imprisoned. Analysts warn that different regional CJNG bosses could now dispute for power — mirroring what happened after El Chapo's arrest, which eventually sparked a civil war within the Sinaloa cartel.
One criminal law analyst noted that cartels have an economic interest in keeping the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup peaceful, as they profit when foreign visitors spend money — a factor that may help dampen further large-scale violence ahead of the June tournament in Guadalajara.
Emergency Contacts for Americans in Mexico
- U.S. State Department crisis hotline (from U.S./Canada): +1-888-407-4747
- From overseas/Mexico: +1-202-501-4444
- Emergency in Mexico: 911
- U.S. Embassy updates: mx.usembassy.gov
