Chicagoans Concerned for Loved Ones in Mexico Amid Cartel Violence

Violent clashes by suspected cartel members have caused widespread safety concerns in parts of Mexico.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 11:36pm

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Chicagoans with loved ones in and around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are still very concerned for their safety after a wave of violence over the weekend sparked by the killing of a cartel leader. Those outside hotels have told their loved ones in Chicago they're still sheltering in place, especially in rural areas where cartel members may target farmland. Baltazar Enriquez of Chicago's Little Village Community Council has been checking in on his brother and cousin, who have both reported sheltering in place due to the unrest.

Why it matters

The ongoing cartel violence in parts of Mexico has raised concerns among Chicagoans with loved ones in the region, highlighting the instability and safety risks faced by residents, especially those living outside of major tourist areas. This situation also raises questions about the potential for an influx of new immigrants to the U.S. seeking asylum if the unrest continues.

The details

Violent clashes by suspected cartel members earlier this week have caused widespread safety concerns, with videos showing cars being set on fire and large plumes of smoke. While things have appeared to calm down for tourists since Sunday, those outside of hotels have told their loved ones in Chicago they're still sheltering in place, especially in rural areas where cartel members may target farmland and the National Guard presence is lower.

  • The violence erupted over the weekend, sparked by the killing of a cartel leader.
  • As of this week, streets and shops are reopening in parts of Mexico.

The players

Baltazar Enriquez

A member of the Chicago's Little Village Community Council who has been checking in on his brother and cousin in Mexico.

Enriquez's brother

A resident of Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico who is sheltering in place due to the unrest.

Enriquez's cousin

A resident of a rural area in Mexico who manages his own farm and is concerned the cartel may target his farmland.

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What they’re saying

“It's very nerve-wracking because we don't know what's going to happen. We're hoping that the Mexican government gets control of the situation so people can continue with their lives, and us over here in the United States can feel also safe because you know this is not something that just started, this has been happening for years.”

— Baltazar Enriquez, Member, Chicago's Little Village Community Council (CBS News)

“'I'm staying in for my safety,' he says, 'we don't know what's going to happen.' But uh, in the rural areas is where the major things are happening.”

— Enriquez's brother (CBS News)

“He's also praying that they don't get to his huertas because he'll lose out on a lot of money, and all his life work is there, and his grandfather started, his father, now him. He's third generation; all of that will come down within minutes.”

— Baltazar Enriquez, Member, Chicago's Little Village Community Council (CBS News)

What’s next

As of now, there is no official travel ban from Mexico to the U.S. Travelers from the Chicago area said that things are looking more like normal as their flights are scheduled to leave on time later in the week.

The takeaway

The ongoing cartel violence in parts of Mexico has raised serious concerns among Chicagoans with loved ones in the region, highlighting the instability and safety risks faced by residents, especially those living outside of major tourist areas. This situation also raises questions about the potential for an influx of new immigrants to the U.S. seeking asylum if the unrest continues.