The US and Canada have warned citizens to shelter in place in parts of Mexico following the killing of a major drug cartel leader, which sparked widespread violence and flight cancellations.

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has urged American citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place. The warning follows widespread violence and roadblocks after Mexican soldiers killed a top cartel boss.

“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” the department’s Consular Affairs section stated.

It noted that roadblocks have impacted airline operations, leading to domestic and international flight cancellations in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in Tapalpa. The army said he died while being flown to Mexico City and had a US$15 million US bounty on his head.

Canada said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised its citizens in Mexico to keep a low profile. It specifically urged those in Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco states to shelter in place due to “shootouts with security forces and explosions.”

Several US and Canadian airlines cancelled flights to parts of Mexico. US carriers United, American, Southwest and Alaska, along with Canada’s Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, cancelled services to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo.

Some planes had to turn back while already en route. Southwest Airlines said it turned back four flights originally bound for Puerto Vallarta.

Southwest stated it would send aircraft to repatriate its stranded passengers and staff once the situation normalises.

 The Sun Malaysia