Jalisco cartel road blocks

[kphoger]

Jalisco opened schools and transportation options back up this morning.  During the state president's speech yesterday he noted there wasn't any known new blockades on Monday.  I'm not fully clear if the Code Red has been lifted (I found it hard to interpret) but it appears to have been.

For those who don't know, a "Code Red" is similar to an FPCON Delta or a shelter in place order.  So, at present moment our travel plans to leave have not been affected.

I don't see a security alert update since yesterday, when it said US government personnel were sheltering in place "until all blockades are cleared" and other US citizens were "urged" to do likewise.

[Max Rockatansky]

Jalisco opened schools and transportation options back up this morning.  During the state president's speech yesterday he noted there wasn't any known new blockades on Monday.  I'm not fully clear if the Code Red has been lifted (I found it hard to interpret) but it appears to have been.

For those who don't know, a "Code Red" is similar to an FPCON Delta or a shelter in place order.  So, at present moment our travel plans to leave have not been affected.

I don't see a security alert update since yesterday, when it said US government personnel were sheltering in place "until all blockades are cleared" and other US citizens were "urged" to do likewise.

Yeah, the Code Red is what they are they telling citizens in Jalisco.  This is what the State Department had on their last message:

Security Alert – Update 5: Ongoing Security Operations - U.S. Mission Mexico (February 23, 2026)

Locations:
Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara)
Nayarit State (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta)
 
Event: Due to road blockages and criminal activity related to security operations that took place on February 22, 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), and Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco) are sheltering in place until all blockades are cleared, and we urge U.S. citizens to do the same.
 
U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service offices in Chiapas, Guerrero, Michoacan, and Oaxaca continue to work remotely.
 
While incidents were reported yesterday, February 22, the situation has returned to normal in the following areas: Baja California (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada), Quintana Roo State (including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Colima, Guanajuato, Estado de Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.  Please see the Mexico Travel Advisory for additional information on these locations.
 
All U.S. government staff at Consulate General Monterrey continue to be directed to remain in the Monterrey metropolitan area.  U.S. government staff at Consulate General Tijuana are following a 6pm to 6am curfew.
 
FLIGHTS
All 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, and flights have begun departing Puerto Vallarta as well.  If your flight to the United States is cancelled, you may be able to book a connecting flight through another Mexican city.
 
Multiple airlines are operating from Guadalajara and from Puerto Vallarta as of the afternoon of February 23.  Confirm that your flight is on track for departure from Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta before you depart for the airport.
 
ROADS
We have no reports of road closures directed by local authorities, though some roads in Jalisco State (including between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta) are not yet fully reopened.
 
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.

[Max Rockatansky]

FWIW, I've told my boss and my sister what is going on.  I'm not putting this on my social media (nor has my wife) as it will just cause family members to panic.  I've tried to see what that Twitter page has to say but it wants me to make an account. 

[kphoger]

This is what the State Department had on their last message:

Security Alert – Update 5: Ongoing Security Operations - U.S. Mission Mexico (February 23, 2026)

Yes, that's what I was quoting from.  I don't see any new update yet today.

[Max Rockatansky]

This is what the State Department had on their last message:

Security Alert – Update 5: Ongoing Security Operations - U.S. Mission Mexico (February 23, 2026)

Yes, that's what I was quoting from.  I don't see any new update yet today.

There hasn't been one.  The State Department being more cautious compared to Jalisco doesn't really surprise me.  It also doesn't surprise that they aren't consistently putting out fresh messages, even if the information is the same.

I found a better translation of the Governor of Jalisco's speech.  They did lift Code Red:
 
https://fb.watch/FtwFgftkq5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[Life in Paradise]

Be safe when you start your way back, Max.  My wife and I several years ago have visited Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan a few times.  Truly enjoyed the the stops.

[gonealookin]

With time to kill at DFW between flights I'm sitting at a gate where AA 1288 is getting ready to depart for Puerto Vallarta, out of curiosity to see how many people board.  30 so far with nobody else waiting, a few more than I expected, and most looked like typical American vacationers.  I suspect that airplane will be full when it returns.

[Max Rockatansky]

Could turn out in your favor if crowds are small.  We went out for a small drive to go shopping.  The crowd is small even by weekday standards here.

Speak of the devil, finally got another State Department update in my email:

Location: Mexico
 
Event: Public transportation and businesses continue to return to normal operations following a law enforcement operation that took place on February 22.  U.S. citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place.  
 
U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), and Tijuana (Baja California) are subject to a curfew during nighttime hours.  U.S. government staff in Jalisco State and Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) have been directed to remain inside their metropolitan areas. 
 
FLIGHTS
Flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara and many airlines have extra flights planned for today, February 24, in Puerto Vallarta.  Both airports are secure and amenities are available. 
 
If your direct flight to the United States is cancelled, you might consider booking a connecting flight through another Mexican or U.S. city.  
 
ROADS
We have no reports of road closures directed by local authorities, though some roads in Jalisco State (including between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta) are not yet fully reopened.

[gonealookin]

Could turn out in your favor if crowds are small.  We went out for a small drive to go shopping.  The crowd is small even by weekday standards here.

I'm not going to Puerto Vallarta; I'm flying to Donald J. Trump International West Palm Beach today.

My brother said he had plans to go to Puerto Vallarta in a couple weeks which he's already cancelled.  I get it but it seems premature.

I'd guess anyone looking for a cheap spring break trip can get a fantastic deal there for late March into April.

[Max Rockatansky]

Could turn out in your favor if crowds are small.  We went out for a small drive to go shopping.  The crowd is small even by weekday standards here.

I'm not going to Puerto Vallarta; I'm flying to Donald J. Trump International West Palm Beach today.

My brother said he had plans to go to Puerto Vallarta in a couple weeks which he's already cancelled.  I get it but it seems premature.

I'd guess anyone looking for a cheap spring break trip can get a fantastic deal there for late March into April.

I've never been a World Cup game.  Now I'm curious how expensive the Guadalajara ticket prices will be for June.  I'd imagine this week probably will scare a lot of people away. 

[Bruce]

Could turn out in your favor if crowds are small.  We went out for a small drive to go shopping.  The crowd is small even by weekday standards here.

I'm not going to Puerto Vallarta; I'm flying to Donald J. Trump International West Palm Beach today.

My brother said he had plans to go to Puerto Vallarta in a couple weeks which he's already cancelled.  I get it but it seems premature.

I'd guess anyone looking for a cheap spring break trip can get a fantastic deal there for late March into April.

I've never been a World Cup game.  Now I'm curious how expensive the Guadalajara ticket prices will be for June.  I'd imagine this week probably will scare a lot of people away. 

The main lottery is already over, so you'll have to use secondary/resale markets. FIFA has their own system, so don't trust Stubhub et al (as they don't have tickets yet).

[kphoger]

Were many civilians killed in the backlash violence?  I've heard a lot about vehicles set on fire, but that doesn't necessarily mean people were in there at the time.

[Max Rockatansky]

Were many civilians killed in the backlash violence?  I've heard a lot about vehicles set on fire, but that doesn't necessarily mean people were in there at the time.

I haven't heard anything from official sources regarding civilian fatalities.  The cartel members were stopping drivers and stealing the vehicles.  For the most part they went after large trucks and buses. 

CBS is reporting 25 members of the National Guard dead along with at least 30 cartel members.  They are quoting over 70 known fatalities:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/el-mencho-killed-25-mexican-national-guard-troops-killed-jalisco-cartel/

[Max Rockatansky]

Most of the long distance bus routes in southern Jalisco reactivated this morning at 7 AM.

[kphoger]

Most of the long distance bus routes in southern Jalisco reactivated this morning at 7 AM.

I know someone who was in McAllen when this all went down.  He successfully crossed back over to Matamoros yesterday, but he still has to make it back to southern Coahuila.  Hopefully travel will be somewhat normal for him.

[Max Rockatansky]

Most of the long distance bus routes in southern Jalisco reactivated this morning at 7 AM.

I know someone who was in McAllen when this all went down.  He successfully crossed back over to Matamoros yesterday, but he still has to make it back to southern Coahuila.  Hopefully travel will be somewhat normal for him.

My wife's nephew was waiting on the buses to reactivate to head back to Guadalajara.  I don't think he was on his one given his college classes were online.  I think that he'll be on the first bus this weekend.

[andrepoiy]

Having only been two Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and then Cancun/Playa de Carmen/Cozumel, I found PV to be a lot better experience.


I'm actually more surprised at how coordinated and widespread the car burnings are. Really tells you that cartel members are everywhere and I could have possibly walked by several cartel members on street when I visited down there.

I wonder who's vehicles they actually burned though, and how the insurance is going to cover that

[Max Rockatansky]

But you could also say the same in the U.S.  Many of us walk by gang members or a hardened criminal almost daily and have no idea. 

I hit on the vehicles which were targeted in a couple posts.  For the most part large vehicles like buses and semis were targeted since it only took one to block a roadway completely.  West of me on Federal Highway 80 there was a lot of excavation equipment used to push vehicles as blockage points or rip out the asphalt.

[7/8]

With time to kill at DFW between flights I'm sitting at a gate where AA 1288 is getting ready to depart for Puerto Vallarta, out of curiosity to see how many people board.  30 so far with nobody else waiting, a few more than I expected, and most looked like typical American vacationers.  I suspect that airplane will be full when it returns.

My brother is currently flying down to PVR on AC1349 in the jumpseat as an extra pilot (it's very rare for Air Canada to put him in the jumpseat for a round trip flight). I can't see how many empty seats are on the flight down (I think because the plane has already taken off), but I'll ask him when he lands. The flight back to YYZ (AC1348) has 1 business seat available, 0 economy available, and 8 people on standby lol.

The previous two days, this normally Max 8 pairing was upgraded to 787-9 to accommodate the extra passengers for the return flights.

EDIT: The flight down was about half full

[Rothman]

But you could also say the same in the U.S.  Many of us walk by gang members or a hardened criminal almost daily and have no idea. 

Pfft.  Prove it.

I was followed by a guy I suspect was getting up the courage to rob me.  I confirmed by walking a nonsensical route and he just kept following.  He finally noticed me noticing him and left the area.

Had a Pepsi bottle thrown at me from a car once.

Other than that, I think it's safe to say most people I pass are just everyday joes rather than assume I pass by a gang member/hardened criminal daily.  Heck, I don't even encounter beggars daily.

[Max Rockatansky]

But you could also say the same in the U.S.  Many of us walk by gang members or a hardened criminal almost daily and have no idea. 

Pfft.  Prove it.

I was followed by a guy I suspect was getting up the courage to rob me.  I confirmed by walking a nonsensical route and he just kept following.  He finally noticed me noticing him and left the area.

Had a Pepsi bottle thrown at me from a car once.

Other than that, I think it's safe to say most people I pass are just everyday joes rather than assume I pass by a gang member/hardened criminal daily.  Heck, I don't even encounter beggars daily.

I suspect all three of the shoplifters that tried to stab me on most days were average joes.  I think about stuff that used to happen at work 15-20 years ago when people say on social media that "things are worse than ever."  I haven't been in a fight with a shoplifter at work since late 2012.  Part of that is I'm better at recognizing and avoiding escalating conflict.  All the same there seems to be way less people willing to throw down for stupid things like being caught committing misdemeanor or felony theft.

Regarding beggars and the homeless, I don't get why so many Americans are afraid of them.  Most of them aren't even in the condition to fight even if they wanted to. 

I guess the point that I was trying to make that it probably doesn't pay off to be paranoid about criminal activity.  Trouble, conflict and confrontation don't usually happen to most people unless they seek it out in some way.  It doesn't mean that someone can't get wrapped up in something by happenstance, it just probably isn't likely.  Day to day though I'd imagine this little town Jessica's family is from in Mexico is just as safe if not safer than equivalent size American cities. 

Of course I say all this and still need to get back to the airport.  Jessica told me this week is first time she felt unsafe while visiting family in Mexico.  The cartel activity definitely shook people up around here.

[kphoger]

Once, when I was pushing carts at Target in Wheaton IL, a guy came up to me in the lot and said, "Look at me in the eyes.  How does it feel to look into the eyes of a killer?"  That was weird.

[NE2]

Once, when I was pushing carts at Target in Wheaton IL, a guy came up to me in the lot and said, "Look at me in the eyes.  How does it feel to look into the eyes of a killer?"  That was weird.

It's true. I was the killer.

[Rothman]

Once, when I was pushing carts at Target in Wheaton IL, a guy came up to me in the lot and said, "Look at me in the eyes.  How does it feel to look into the eyes of a killer?"  That was weird.

It's true. I was the killer.

Beat me to it.

[kphoger]

I was the killer.

Beat me to it.

You stabbed him anyway, though, right?