US Issues Urgent “Shelter in Place” Order for Citizens Across 5 Mexican States

The United States government has issued an urgent security alert, instructing American citizens to immediately shelter in place across several major Mexican states. The drastic advisory follows the explosive retaliatory violence triggered by the Mexican military’s assassination of top Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho.”
The Alert Zones
The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City released the directive on Sunday, February 22, 2026, citing “ongoing security operations, related road blockages, and criminal activity.” The shelter-in-place order specifically targets Americans located in parts of the following states:
* Jalisco: Including the major tourist hub of Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and the capital city of Guadalajara.
* Tamaulipas: Specifically Reynosa and surrounding border municipalities.
* Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León: Areas currently experiencing spillover violence and cartel roadblocks.
“Code Red” and Airport Chaos
The advisory comes as Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro activated a state-wide “Code Red” security alert. Cartel militants have paralyzed the region by hijacking vehicles and setting them ablaze to create fiery “narco-blockades,” designed to stall federal military reinforcements.
The violence has severely impacted international travel, effectively trapping thousands of tourists. Puerto Vallarta International Airport and Guadalajara International Airport have seen massive disruptions, with multiple major airlines—including Air Canada, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines—suspending operations or canceling flights altogether due to the rapidly deteriorating security perimeter.
Official Safety Directives
U.S. officials are warning that the security situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable. The Embassy has issued a strict protocol for citizens trapped in the affected regions:
* Seek Immediate Shelter: Remain indoors and minimize all unnecessary movements.
* Avoid Law Enforcement: Stay far away from any areas with active police or military operations.
* Maintain Communications: Keep family and friends updated on your location and well-being via text or social media.
* Do Not Attempt Airport Travel: Travelers are explicitly warned not to travel to airports without prior confirmation from their airlines, as highway blockades have made access roads impassable.
With Mexican federal forces continuing their sweeping operations against the remnants of the CJNG command structure, U.S. authorities warn that the shelter-in-place order will remain in effect “until further notice.”