U.S. Expands Security Alert in Mexico as Operations Continue
On February 22, 2026, the U.S. Mission to Mexico released an updated security alert warning of continuing security operations and related criminal incidents across large parts of the country. The advisory is sweeping in scope, covering multiple states and some of Mexico’s most visited destinations. For anyone with travel plans to the region, this is something you simply cannot ignore right now.
The situation is evolving quickly, and the details matter. Let’s dive in.
Shelter-in-Place Order Covers Major Tourist Areas
The advisory spans multiple states, including Jalisco, Baja California, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, and Sinaloa, along with portions of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de México, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.
Well-known destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tijuana, Guadalajara, and Mazatlán are among the areas affected. These are not remote or obscure locations. These are places millions of tourists visit every single year.
U.S. citizens in these regions are being told to shelter in place because of road blockages and heightened security concerns. U.S. government employees in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Reynosa, Tijuana, and parts of Michoacán will work remotely on Monday, February 23, and have been instructed to remain indoors.
Personnel at the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey must stay within the metropolitan area. Official travel to Mazatlán has been suspended through February 25.
Toll Roads Curtailed and Travel Impacted
Airports remain open, but transportation networks have been significantly disrupted. Roadblocks have interfered with flight operations, resulting in the cancellation of most domestic and international flights in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Ride-hailing services in Puerto Vallarta have been paused, and some local businesses have temporarily shut down. Honestly, that’s the kind of ripple effect that catches travelers completely off guard.
Mexican authorities announced late on February 22 that toll road services would be temporarily limited in several states due to blockades affecting drivers. The impacted areas include Puebla, Guerrero, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, San Luis Potosí, Tijuana, Querétaro, Veracruz, and Mazatlán.
Security forces continue to manage the situation as operations remain ongoing. Travelers should be prepared for delays and sudden transportation changes, even in cities where airports are technically operating. Access routes to terminals may be obstructed, complicating travel plans and causing last-minute cancellations or rerouting.
Safety Recommendations and Emergency Contacts
The U.S. Mission is advising citizens to remain indoors, limit movement, and avoid non-essential travel until conditions improve. People are urged to stay away from areas with visible law enforcement activity and to remain alert at all times.
Updates on highway closures are available via the official @CAPUFE account on X. Travelers should also closely follow local news reports for the latest developments.
In case of emergency, individuals should dial 911 and comply with instructions from local officials. The embassy also recommends that citizens regularly update family and friends about their whereabouts and safety through phone calls, text messages, or social media.
For assistance, U.S. citizens can contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico at (55) 2579 2000 within Mexico, or by dialing 011 52 55 2579 2000 from the United States. Additional support is available through the Department of State’s Consular Affairs office at +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444. The developing security situation has created uncertainty for residents and tourists alike, particularly in popular coastal and urban destinations, with U.S. officials maintaining close coordination with Mexican authorities while monitoring events as they unfold.
