Australia Urges ‘High Degree of Caution’ for Mexico After Cartel Leader Killed

A Smarttraveller warns of unrest, transport disruption, and has asked residents to shelter-in-place.

A view of a burning truck, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on February 22, 2026. The Mexican army announced that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country on Feb. 22, 2026. Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, which includes Tapalpa, with burning cars and trucks. The violence spread to other states as well. Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images

The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Mexico, urging citizens to exercise heightened caution following a surge in violence linked to the killing of a major drug cartel figure.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes known as “El Mencho” was killed in a Mexican military operation on Feb. 22, according to U.S. officials.