Violence erupted in Mexico following the army’s killing of a cartel leader, prompting U.S. and Canadian airlines to suspend flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
The U.S. State Department advised citizens on Sunday to remain indoors due to “ongoing security operations, roadblocks, and criminal activity.”
Carriers including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines canceled flights to the Pacific coast destination of Puerto Vallarta and to Guadalajara in Jalisco state, waiving change fees for affected travelers.
Flights to other major Mexican airports, including Mexico City and Cancun, were not affected.
The unrest followed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” head of a major criminal network involved in trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the U.S. and targeting officials who opposed the cartel, according to The Associated Press.
He was killed in a shootout in his home state of Jalisco.
Several Mexican states canceled school on Monday in response to the crisis.
Airlines frequently suspend operations amid security threats or infrastructure disruptions to prevent passengers, crews, and aircraft from being stranded.