Urgent Alert for Australians: Stay Safe in Popular Tourist Destination After Drug Lord’s Violent Demise

Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, a former police officer, rose to notoriety as the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Under his command, the cartel emerged as one of the “most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations” in Mexico, as described by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

In a coordinated effort, security forces from various federal branches of the Mexican military conducted an operation in the town of Tapalpa, located in the western state of Jalisco, yesterday (today AEDT).

The confrontation between CJNG members and government forces resulted in a fierce exchange of gunfire. According to Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense, four gang members were killed on the spot.

Nemesio Oseguera and two others sustained serious injuries during the clash and died while being transported to Mexico City, the secretariat reported.

The violent encounter triggered a series of security incidents in other regions of Mexico, as alleged members of organized crime took to the streets in response.

Now, Australian authorities are warning travellers to take care.

“Serious security incidents have been reported across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime,” the government’s Smartraveller website said in its updated advice.

“Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a public advisory to shelter in place. There may be transport disruptions, including by air. Stay alert and follow the advice of the local authorities.”

Other security incidents have been reported in the regions of Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon.

“We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to the threat of violent crime,” Smartraveller said.

“We also continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to the states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Guanajuato, Sonora, Colima and Chiapas.”

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.