American and Canadian governments have issued stark warnings against travel to Mexico after cartel violence trapped tourists in the country.
Violence erupted before dawn Thursday when security forces arrested suspected drug dealer Ovidio “The Mouse” Guzmán, the son of former cartel boss and drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, according to Canada Today. The Sinaloa Cartel retaliated with attacks against government officials, government buildings and other public infrastructure. Tourists were trapped in Mexican hotels when buses that were supposed to take them to the airport were set ablaze and left burning outside various hotels in the region. Government officials have advised trapped tourists to limit their movements and shelter in place.
Video posted online showed the moments after Sinaloa cartel members opened fire on an Aero Mexico aircraft. Passengers could be seen panicked as they lay on the floor of the aircraft to avoid the gunfire. Mexican authorities have closed two airports and suspended all flights at a third, according to Canada’s global affairs office.
Son of Mexican drug lord “El Chapo” is arrested. Former ICE- HSI agent @VictorAvilaTX weighs in on the political move ahead of Biden’s visit to Mexico. https://t.co/tkSpOOaYro pic.twitter.com/GcsrsXEmoE
— Stella Escobedo (@StellaEscoTV) January 6, 2023
U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price advised Americans to avoid all travel to Sinaloa, Mexico, amid ongoing concerns about increased violence. Violence is reported to be especially intense in Culiacan, Mazatlán, Los Mochis and Guasave, according to Canada Today.
“There has been reports of gunfire, road blocks, fires,” Price said in a press release.
“Our embassy in Mexico City published an alert to U.S. citizens today advising that the Sinaloan governor has called for the public to shelter in place,” Price said. (RELATED: Mexico’s Cartel Violence Spills Near Five-Star Resorts Where Tourists Are Their Drug Customers)
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“For those Americans who are in Sinaloa, we strongly encourage them to monitor local news, to follow emergency instructions provided by local authorities,” Price said, according to Global News.
Intense footage shows the moment the Mexican military comes under heavy fire from cartel gunmen. This is what the military has to deal with across #Mexico.#OvidioGuzman #Sinaloa #Culiacan #Juarez pic.twitter.com/dQxRAtLsM0
— Donkey Junk (@DonkeyJunkMedia) January 5, 2023
The U.S. government and Canadian government have both published travel advisories online in an effort to keep citizens safe and informed on new developments.