Border security expert urges Arizona travelers to be wary of cartel violence after El Mencho killing

PHOENIX — Following the killing of a powerful drug kingpin on Sunday, cartel violence in Mexico has surged, raising concerns about public safety and border security in Arizona.

Art Del Cueto, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, described the situation as “a ticking time bomb.”

“You have to remember: It’s a different country, with different rules. It’s not stable,” Del Cueto told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday. “It’s a ticking time bomb. You don’t know when it’s gonna go off. I always tell people, ‘Think things through.'”

How bad is the cartel violence in Mexico following El Mencho killing?

More than 70 people died in the Mexican military’s attempt to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who also died in the struggle, according to The Associated Press. The incident took place in the town of Tapalpa, which is in Jalisco.

Cervantes, who was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was known as El Mencho.

Reports from The Associated Press said the cartel reacted to its leader’s death with widespread violence, including setting fire to vehicles and setting up over 250 roadblocks across the country.

Due to this, it’s not advisable to travel to Mexico right now, Del Cueto said.

“It’s not safe right now, especially because of the cartels,” Del Cueto said. “Maybe there’ll be a power struggle, which makes things even worse, but they’re structured when it comes to who’s in charge and who comes next and who’s down the line.”

What about some experts who say it’s safe to visit Mexico?

On Monday, the Mexican consul general assigned to Phoenix told KTAR News the situation was under control. Additionally, several U.S. airlines resumed flights to Mexico on Tuesday after stopping them due to the unrest.

That means nothing to Del Cueto, who said he has friends who are stuck in airports trying to return to the U.S. Some are being told they can’t get back until Saturday.

“Remember, they’re on the verge of a couple of World Cup matches and now you have FIFA threatening to pull out of there,” Del Cueto said. “They’re doing their best to salvage what they can, but the reality is it’s very unstable.”

In his view, public safety should take precent over economics.

“Let’s be honest with the American public,” Del Cueto said. “My number one concern is Americans going down there or the safety of Americans there and in the U.S. at this point.”

Cartel violence in Mexico triggers border security concerns

The cartel violence in Mexico is worrying some of the top officials in Arizona — including Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who urged travelers to be careful.

“I’m closely monitoring the unrest in Mexico and its potential impact on Arizonans,” Hobbs announced on Monday. “The U.S. State Department has activated a 24/7 crisis hotline to assist Americans affected by the violence.”

The mission to end cartel activity is vital to Arizona’s safety. I am thinking about all those impacted by the violence in Mexico and encourage continued U.S.-Mexico cooperation to combat the cartel and ensure safety for all those in the region.

— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) February 23, 2026

The hotline is 1‑888‑407‑4747 for callers in the U.S. or Canada and 1‑202‑501‑4444 for those in Mexico. It provides emergency guidance, helps locate loved ones and coordinates support.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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