State Department Updates Security Alerts to US Citizens in Mexico
"Shelter in Place" advisories continue
The “Shelter in Place” advisory from the U.S. State Department to U.S. Citizens in Mexico on Monday appears to apply to Western Mexico (including the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta as well as Tijuana, which is just across the border from San Diego), according to a midday State Department “Security Alert” on x.com:
“In Puerto Vallarta, flights continue to be disrupted due to availability of flight crews. The Embassy is in close contact with airlines to monitor their plans. All other airports in Mexico are open, and most airports are operating normally. If you are traveling via any airport other than Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, we have received no indication of any security-related flight disruptions. Check with your airline to confirm your flight status and schedule.
U.S. citizens in specific locations in Mexico are urged to continue to shelter in place. U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), Tijuana (Baja California), Chiapas, and Michoacan are sheltering in place until all blockades are cleared, and we urge Americans to do the same.
While incidents were reported yesterday, February 22, the situation has returned to normal in the following areas: Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas.”
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a more detailed Security Alert on the State Department’s website. Here it is in its entirety:
Security Alert – Update 4: Ongoing Security Operations – U.S. Mission Mexico (February 23, 2026)
Locations:
Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara)
Baja California State (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada)
Nayarit State (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta)
areas of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Zacatecas states
Event: Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in specific locations in Mexico are urged to shelter in place. U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), Tijuana (Baja California), Chiapas, and Michoacan are sheltering in place until all blockades are cleared, and we urge U.S. citizens to do the same.
While incidents were reported yesterday, February 22, the situation has returned to normal in the following areas: Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas. Please see the general Mexico Travel Advisory for additional information on these locations.
All U.S. government staff at Consulate General Monterrey have been directed to remain in the Monterrey metropolitan area, and U.S. government staff have been directed not to travel to Mazatlan through Wednesday, February 25.
FLIGHTS
In Puerto Vallarta, flights continue to be disrupted due to availability of flight crews. The Embassy is in close contact with airlines to monitor their plans.
All other airports in Mexico are open, and most airports are operating normally. If you are traveling via any airport other than Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, we have received no indication of any security-related flight disruptions. Check with your airline to confirm your flight status and schedule.
Some, but not all, scheduled flights are departing from Guadalajara; if your flight to the United States is cancelled, you may be able to book a connecting flight through another Mexican city.
ROADS
Mexican authorities have curtailed operations on some toll roads, reportedly in Puebla, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, San Luis Potosi, Tijuana, Queretaro, Veracruz, and Mazatlán, due to February 22 blockades.
Actions to Take:
Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements.
Avoid areas around law enforcement activity.
Check @CAPUFE on X for status of road closures.
Monitor local media for updates.
Follow the directions of local authorities and in case of emergency, call 911.
Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text, and social media.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico
From Mexico: (55) 2579 2000
From the United States: 011 52 55 2579 2000 or +1-301-985-8843
Department of State – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Links:
Mexico International Travel information
U.S. Citizens in Mexico WhatsApp Channel
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Department of State on Facebook and X
The State Department began issuing “Shelter in Place” advisories to US Citizens on Sunday, February 22, 2026, after Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) members unleashed violence across the country in revenge for the killing of its leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes (commonly referred to by his alias “El Mencho”) during a Mexican military operation.
El Mencho was the most wanted person in Mexico and one of the most wanted in the U.S.
CJNG Cartel members set cars, buses, service stations, and convenience stores afire in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta and engaged Mexican Security Forces in firefights on city streets.
The New York Times reported that 62 people died in the raid that targeted “El Mencho,” and that Mexican authorities “arrested 70 people and killed 34 people suspected of being cartel members in the chaos on Sunday, while 25 members of the national guard had been killed. The dead also included a state prosecutor, a security guard and a civilian.”
The Times also reported that “Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday afternoon that there were no reports that any foreigners had been killed or injured during Sunday’s military raid or its aftermath.”
NOTE: This breaking story will be updated as developments warrant. Our weekly US Border News Newsletter is still pending publication.
If you are planning a Spring Break trip to Mexico, will you still go?
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
