Mexico declares situation restored following military operation

Mexico City (ANTARA) - Mexico’s Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection has said that highways and main roads across the country have fully returned to normal following riots and blockades caused by the death of a cartel leader.

“Highways and the road network have returned to normal operations, and citizens should feel safe,” the department said on Monday.

At the same time, Mexico’s national airline Aeromexico announced the gradual resumption of flights to and from Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and Tepic after adjusting its schedules amid unrest in several states.

Two national low-cost carriers, Volaris and Viva, made similar announcements on Monday.

On 22 February, Mexico’s Ministry of Defence conducted a military operation to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel involved in cross-border narcotics trafficking.

According to the ministry, El Mencho subsequently died from his injuries whilst being transported to Mexico City, which then prompted the cartel to retaliate by launching a campaign of violence across several states, erecting roadblocks and setting fire to buildings and vehicles.