Chabad Houses in Mexico on Lockdown Due to Cartel Wars

By COLlive reporter

Jalisco and surrounding areas were thrust into turmoil Sunday after a major Mexican military operation reportedly killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the longtime head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The operation, which took place in Tapalpa, triggered a wave of violent retaliation across the state, including burning vehicles, highway blockades, and armed clashes in metropolitan centers and tourist hubs such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Chabad Houses in the region were placed on lockdown as the unrest unfolded.

A firebomb detonated across the street from Chabad of Puerto Vallarta on Francisco Medina Asencio, led by Rabbi Shneur and Mushkie Hecht. The Shluchim and their community are currently in lockdown in their homes.

“We are safe and okay,” they wrote to COLlive.com. “We are checking in on our community.”

Elsewhere in the state, Shluchim were caught amid the chaos while traveling. Rabbi Abraham and Elisheva Srugo, who direct Chabad of Lake Chapala in Jalisco, were driving to a wedding when the unrest erupted.

“My wife and I left in the morning to marry a Jewish couple,” he told COLlive.com. “We already understood from the news that there was trouble, but on the way, we saw with our own eyes burned vehicles and roadblocks.

“After several kilometers, another fire would break out, and the road would be blocked again. Police and security forces are trying to restore order, but only partially successfully at this point.”

The couple departed around 10:00 a.m. local time and had planned to arrive before 1:00 p.m., but found themselves stranded for hours on the main highway.

“There is nowhere to stop. In the middle of the highway, you cannot just pull over,” Rabbi Shurago said.

The wedding has been postponed until conditions stabilize, with the couple awaiting further developments.

Jalisco, whose capital Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest metropolitan area with approximately nine million residents, has seen widespread blockades and arson attacks following the reported killing of the cartel leader.

According to Mexican officials and international reports, the violence appears directed primarily at government forces and infrastructure, though it has disrupted travel and heightened risks throughout the region.

Airlines, including Air Canada, Porter, and WestJet, canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta. The U.S. State Department issued a warning advising American citizens in affected areas to shelter in place due to ongoing security operations, related road blockages, and criminal activity. Canadian authorities issued similar guidance.

Boruch Hashem, a short time later, Rabbi and Mrs. Srugo arrived safely at their home in Guadalajara.

Jewish communities across the state remain on alert, monitoring developments closely and praying for the swift restoration of calm so communal life can resume safely.