Stranded Chicagoans in Mexico now have options for flying home after cartel violence

Chicagoans visiting Mexican cities that were jarred by cartel violence over the weekend have hope of returning home Tuesday as road blockages are cleared and airport operations resume.

The unrest in the state of Jalisco after the Mexican Army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” led to at least 48 hours of lockdowns and uncertainty.

Videos on social media showed foot and car traffic returning in some cities and towns on Tuesday as residents assessed damage and tourists made plans to leave.

The U.S. State Department confirmed late Monday that roads closed because of the violence — or blocked by cars burned by cartel members — were reopening, save for some between Guadalajara and the tourist town of Puerto Vallarta. Government officials also said multiple airlines had resumed operations at the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports.

Five flights to Chicago were among 100 canceled from Puerto Vallarta on Sunday and Monday after videos posted to social media showed chaos at the airports, according to the tracking website FlightAware.

A United Airlines flight from Puerto Vallarta left Monday afternoon and landed in Chicago in the evening. An airline spokesperson said full operations resumed at that airport and in Guadalajara on Monday.

American Airlines said it planned to resume its operations at both airports Tuesday with four extra flights between Puerto Vallarta and the United States with 750 additional seats. One American flight was scheduled direct to Chicago on Tuesday afternoon.

Both United and American travelers would be allowed to change their flights without charge to get back into the United States, the airlines said. AeroMéxico, VivaAeorbus and Volaris flights in and out of Guadalajara, including flights to the United States, were also operating normally Tuesday.

The State Department still advised Americans to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements, as well as to confirm that flights are on track for departure before heading to the airport.