Airlines Suspend Flights to Mexico Following El Mencho’s Death in Military Operation
Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports on a historic blizzard expected to slam the Northeast with more than 29 million Americans under warning on ‘The Big Weekend Show.’
U.S. and Canadian airlines canceled flights on Sunday to parts of Mexico following the announcement of the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho.” His killing in a military operation has led to reported clashes in Jalisco state, prompting travel advisories for the region.
United Airlines announced the cancellation of all Sunday flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, as confirmed by Fox 26 and Reuters. “United Airlines flight operations to PVR are canceled,” the airline stated in a message to Reuters.
Similarly, Southwest Airlines canceled all flights arriving in and departing from Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, according to various reports.
MAJOR DRUG LORD ‘EL MENCHO’ KILLED IN MEXICAN MILITARY OPERATION WITH US INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT
Airlines in the U.S. and Canada canceled flights on Sunday to parts of Mexico after Mexican drug lord El Mencho was killed in a military operation. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)
American Airlines also suspended its remaining Sunday service to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Mazatlán. Air Canada has temporarily halted operations in Puerto Vallarta.
As of publication, no additional cancellations beyond Sunday had been reported. Several airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing affected passengers to rebook without incurring change fees.
TOURISTS IN MEXICAN SEASIDE RESORT TOLD TO STAY ON RESORT AS GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ‘CLASHES’
No flight cancellations have been announced for days after Sunday. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The flight cancellations follow reports of Mexican troops conducting operations in Tapalpa, Jalisco, targeting El Mencho, a former police officer who led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. This cartel has been identified by U.S. authorities as a significant supplier of fentanyl to the United States.
In light of the situation, government officials have warned of potential clashes in Jalisco and increased criminal activity, leading the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to issue shelter-in-place advisories for multiple states.
El Mencho was notorious, carrying a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head. He rose to prominence following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over the past 15 years, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación has evolved from a regional group into a global trafficking organization based in Jalisco.
Some airlines announced they have waivers in place allowing passengers impacted by the cancellations to rebook their flights without change fees. ( (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
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The Mexican Defense Department confirmed that the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination with the U.S., with U.S. authorities providing intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s demise.
FOX Business has reached out to United, American, Southwest, and Air Canada for further comments.
Fox News’ Bonny Chu and Reuters contributed to this report.
Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports on a historic blizzard expected to slam the Northeast with more than 29 million Americans under warning on ‘The Big Weekend Show.’
U.S. and Canadian airlines canceled flights on Sunday to parts of Mexico following the announcement of the death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho.” His killing in a military operation has led to reported clashes in Jalisco state, prompting travel advisories for the region.
United Airlines announced the cancellation of all Sunday flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, as confirmed by Fox 26 and Reuters. “United Airlines flight operations to PVR are canceled,” the airline stated in a message to Reuters.
Similarly, Southwest Airlines canceled all flights arriving in and departing from Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, according to various reports.
MAJOR DRUG LORD ‘EL MENCHO’ KILLED IN MEXICAN MILITARY OPERATION WITH US INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT
Airlines in the U.S. and Canada canceled flights on Sunday to parts of Mexico after Mexican drug lord El Mencho was killed in a military operation. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images / Getty Images)
American Airlines also suspended its remaining Sunday service to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Mazatlán. Air Canada has temporarily halted operations in Puerto Vallarta.
As of publication, no additional cancellations beyond Sunday had been reported. Several airlines have issued travel waivers, allowing affected passengers to rebook without incurring change fees.
TOURISTS IN MEXICAN SEASIDE RESORT TOLD TO STAY ON RESORT AS GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ‘CLASHES’
No flight cancellations have been announced for days after Sunday. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The flight cancellations follow reports of Mexican troops conducting operations in Tapalpa, Jalisco, targeting El Mencho, a former police officer who led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. This cartel has been identified by U.S. authorities as a significant supplier of fentanyl to the United States.
In light of the situation, government officials have warned of potential clashes in Jalisco and increased criminal activity, leading the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to issue shelter-in-place advisories for multiple states.
El Mencho was notorious, carrying a $15 million U.S. bounty on his head. He rose to prominence following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over the past 15 years, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación has evolved from a regional group into a global trafficking organization based in Jalisco.
Some airlines announced they have waivers in place allowing passengers impacted by the cancellations to rebook their flights without change fees. ( (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The Mexican Defense Department confirmed that the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination with the U.S., with U.S. authorities providing intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s demise.
FOX Business has reached out to United, American, Southwest, and Air Canada for further comments.
Fox News’ Bonny Chu and Reuters contributed to this report.
