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Tourists are stranded in Mexico as violence erupts in the state of Jalisco, forcing the cancellation of more than 130 flights Sunday. Denver resident Scott Posilkin says he and his friends were trying to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta when fighting between the Mexican army and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel broke out over the weekend. The clashes began following the killing of the cartel’s leader. As of now, Posilkin says the group is still waiting inside their rental home until being told the area is safe again.
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico, and travelers are urged to check with their airlines before flying.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms the U.S. “provided intelligence support to the Mexican government” to assist with the operation. The Mexican National Guard and Army units from central Mexico have now been called in to help reinforce security while the airports in the popular tourist towns of Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta are reporting flight cancellations and disruptions because of the unrest.
