All flights into and out of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta Airports have ceased after armed members of a drug cartel stormed both facilities in reprisal for the killing of their leader by Mexican authorities. People at the airports say they were in chaos on Sunday with reports of gunfire outside and possibly inside them. Aircraft on their way to those airports are diverting. Video shows passengers running to escape gunfire in public areas, most of them clutching their baggage. Mexican forces are responding but the situation is considered fluid. Some of the fighting appears to be on the ramps, which are packed with aircraft at the gates. There are also reports that the killing of the cartel leader was done with U.S. assistance and that cartel gunmen are taking American hostages. Tourists are being told to shelter in place.
Wow, missed all the action by 2 weeks!
Cartel gun battles near major airports will likely push the U.S. to act. Expect more involvement from the military and federal agencies, more surveillance, and more intelligence support. It is fast, visible, and easy to sell. Whether it actually fixes anything is another question.
I have flown into and out of Mexico many times and I have never seen anything like this. Airports were always controlled and separate from street violence. Not now. That alone raises doubts about how contained this really is.
Quiet cooperation may work. Loud, one-sided moves risk blowback and cartel splintering. That usually means more gunmen and more chaos around highways and airports. Not exactly a formula for stability. Not good.
“TransMid Airlines regret to announce a short delay in our departure due to ATC obstruction. Further information will be available soon.”
Kent, I’m blaming you for this little horrifying trip down memory lane. I warned you to stick with airplanes, of which you know a considerable amount. I will take some blame for including a political angle in the story but you’re just going to have to restrain yourself when that inevitably happens. No more, please.