Mexico has long been one of the most visited countries in the world, drawing tens of millions of tourists each year with its beaches, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture. Yet in early 2026, a wave of violent events and a series of shifting government warnings have put the country back in the international spotlight – and not for the right reasons. An outbreak of deadly violence affecting tourist destinations in Mexico prompted urgent warnings from the U.S. and other governments, urging their citizens to remain in place over fears for their safety. Understanding what is actually behind these warnings requires looking at several layers of policy, politics, and on-the-ground security.
A Nationwide Advisory Built on Escalating Threats
As of March 2, 2026, Mexico is under a Level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, which means travelers are encouraged to be more vigilant and take extra precautions when traveling throughout the country. The overall Level 2 designation covers the entire nation, but the picture becomes far more alarming when you drill down by state. Mexico is not a uniform risk zone – specific areas have been flagged as highly dangerous, with Level 4 advisories issued for several states, indicating that the U.S. government strongly recommends not traveling to these locations due to the presence of organized crime, cartel violence, and an unpredictable security situation.
The State Department warns that many violent crimes take place in Mexico, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, and that there is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the country. What makes the 2025–2026 advisory particularly notable is the addition of terrorism as a risk category – something that had never appeared in Mexico advisories before. On August 12, 2025, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Mexico, rating the country Level 2 and indicating that travelers should “exercise increased caution,” with the primary threats being terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Though the Level 2 designation remained unchanged, the terrorism element was new.
Six Mexican Cartels Declared Terrorist Organizations
In furtherance of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14157 of January 20, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined on February 6, 2025, that eight entities meet the criteria for being designated as both Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The designations took effect on February 20, 2025, when they were published in the Federal Register. Secretary Rubio identified six Mexico-based entities as FTOs, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), Gulf Cartel, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and Carteles Unidos.
The travel alert for Mexico as a whole was maintained at Level 2 – “Exercise increased caution” – but terrorism was added as a risk factor, apparently because six Mexican cartels are now classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States government. The political dimension of this move is significant. The United States’ warning of the risk of terrorism in Mexico comes as the Trump administration continues to pressure Mexico to do more to combat drug cartels. In March 2025, President Trump imposed so-called “fentanyl tariffs” on imports from Mexico that are not covered by the USMCA, with the 25% duties remaining in effect.
The Death of “El Mencho” and the Violence That Followed
On February 22, 2026, the Mexican Armed Forces conducted an operation that killed El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and six others in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico. The killing was hailed as a major law enforcement success but immediately triggered a nationwide security crisis. More than 70 people died in the attempt to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and its aftermath. Known as “El Mencho,” he was the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico.
In the immediate aftermath of the operation, the CJNG launched coordinated retaliatory attacks across multiple states. Cartel members established approximately 250 roadblocks nationwide using hijacked cargo trucks, buses, and private vehicles that were set on fire to obstruct highways and urban roads. Incidents were reported in Jalisco and numerous other states, including Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Sinaloa. The U.S. State Department said people in the areas of Jalisco and Nayarit, including in popular vacation spots, should seek shelter amid unrest following the death of cartel leader “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.
Which States Are Under “Do Not Travel” Warnings
As of February 25, 2026, the overall travel advisory for Mexico is at Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution.” However, certain states have been under the “Do Not Travel” designation – Level 4 – since at least January 2018, when the State Department implemented its current four-level Travel Advisory system. The highest warning has been assigned to the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas due to ongoing civil unrest. Additionally, other states such as Zacatecas have been added to Level 4 in more recent years amid shifting conflicts.
The State Department also issued “Reconsider Travel” advisories – Level 3 – for Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora. Not every popular destination carries a high-risk label, though. At Level 1 – “Exercise Normal Precautions” – the same rating given to places like Canada and Japan – you will find Yucatán and Campeche. If you are heading to Mérida or the ancient ruins at Chichén Itzá, the State Department considers those among the safest destinations in the country. The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico, and U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas.
Specific Dangers Travelers Face on the Ground
The U.S. Embassy noted that while recent widespread violence had ended after the Mexican army killed the country’s most powerful drug lord, risks of carjacking, robbery, kidnapping, and drugs remain, particularly in popular tourist areas. Highway crime is a documented issue. A security alert from November 26, 2025, warned U.S. travelers about robberies along Highway 85D in Monterrey, Nuevo León, with the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey reporting awareness of several robberies in which cars were forced to the side of the road and robbed by armed groups.
The embassy also warned travelers to be cautious of consuming unregulated alcohol and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and to be aware of the risk of sexual assault and scams. To reduce risks linked to unregulated drugs, alcohol, and drink spiking, travelers should never accept drinks from strangers, leave beverages unattended, or consume alcohol from unknown sources. Medications should also only be purchased from regulated pharmacies, as counterfeit drugs are common. Beyond crime, beaches in Mexico can be dangerous due to strong currents, rip tides, and rogue waves. Travelers are advised not to swim alone and to take warning notices and flags on beaches seriously.
Mexico’s Tourism Boom Continues Despite the Warnings
Tourism in Mexico is on the rise. The country reportedly welcomed a record 47.4 million visitors between January and July 2025 – a 13.8% increase on the same period in 2024. The sheer scale of that figure tells you something important: warnings and visitor numbers are not moving in the same direction. Despite the warnings, Mexico remains one of the most popular tourist destinations for Americans, with spots like Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel continuing to draw millions of visitors each year.
Mexico will co-host the FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026, alongside the United States and Canada, with more than five million fans expected across the 16 host cities in the three countries. In Mexico, matches will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. However, with Jalisco currently categorized by the U.S. government as a state where visitors should reconsider travel, some fans may weigh their plans carefully. Analysts note that lasting security in Mexico requires territorial control and anti-corruption reforms, rather than decapitation strikes alone. The road ahead remains uncertain, with a fragile security landscape and global attention focused squarely on how Mexico manages what comes next.