When news broke this weekend about the death of Oseguera Cervantes in Mexico–‘El Mencho’, it seemed like a problem that doesn’t impact us here in Iowa. The leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion created a criminal enterprise that spanned across the country. Most of the chaos reported in Mexico seems far away.

But those who have family or friends visiting the country, avoiding the winter weather of Iowa and other regions across the United States, are not feeling very confident.

Travel to Mexico has often been a destination for spring break, the dates always varied, but will begin for some colleges as early as mid March, and as late as April. Those plans may need to change.

Arlo Taylor, who grew up in Webster City, now living in Long Beach, California, has family currently in Mexico.

“My mother-in-law, sister-in-law and a cousin were supposed to return to Long Beach on Friday,” he said in a telephone interview, “It’s doubtful they will leave then.”

The airport they use is a four hour drive, it’s hilly and semi-mountainous terrain, with lots of winding roads, he explained.

“Everybody’s got to be cautious. In one place they are stopping cars and asking people to get out of their vehicles and then burning up the vehicles,” he said, “Public transportation in a lot of areas has been halted.”

He indicated that the chaos in the country involves at least 11 provinces or states.

The resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara have a lot of activity right now. According to Travel and Tour World, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Mazatlan which are popular hotspots, are also now dealing with criminal activity and have heightened security.

Another Webster City resident who spends the winter months in Puerto Vallarta is Jane Klaver. Klaver was formerly a spanish teacher for the Webster City schools. When asked if she was safe, she responded Monday morning.

“Yes, in lock-down in my apartment.” Klaver said in a text message, “Our building gate is locked. I’m staying in my locked building.”

“We were on Code red lock down yesterday. Fires, noises like possible guns or molotov cocktails with a military helicopter above and 2 tanks in my street.” she wrote on a Facebook post.

Klaver took a walk around her apartment later, and said in a text message received last night that most of the burned vehicles were cleaned up, but the buildings will take more time.

Those needing water are going to have a problem according to Taylor, “Water is delivered to homes and most resorts; bottled water is normally used in resort areas.”

But delivery trucks may not make it to their destination.

Klaver said a friend had stood in line to get water for her, as most stores were not open today.

“I don’t know that anyone is in peril right now, but if someone rises to the leadership, things can change quickly,” he said, “Everybody has to be as cautious and careful as possible.”

According to a report in the USA Today, “In 2024, the U.S. Department of State offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Oseguera’s arrest and/or conviction. After reports of his death surfaced, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described “El Mencho” in a social media post as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”

Taylor says the cartels, outside their criminal activity, usually acts as the police force for the people, because the police force is basically ineffective.

“It’s more peaceful because of the cartel,” he explained, “The instability is dangerous.”

There are at least 11 provinces or states that have activity. Puerto Vallarta is one of the major resorts. The areas where Taylor’s mother-in-law and sister in law are staying is a 4 hour drive to the airport they fly out of, 8 hours to Puerto Vallarta.

As reports of cancelled flights and disrupted air travel, Taylor pondered reports that the Guadalajara airport might still be open, but he questioned that highly.

“If you can’t travel on the streets to get to the airport, what good does that do?” he said.

“Everyone is hunkering down in place, if they need a hotel, they might not be able to find one with a room.”

National media and travel sites are discouraging travel to Mexico.