What's happening in Mexico? Unrest, travel disruption after 'El Mencho' killed

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What role did US intelligence play in El Mencho's killing?

How has El Mencho's death affected US-Mexico security cooperation?

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What's expected to change soon in the news?

Many American tourists visiting Mexico are stuck in the country after the killing of a drug cartel leader over the weekend.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," was killed in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico on Sunday, Feb. 22, as part of a Mexican military operation. Oseguera was seriously injured in the shootout and died during air transfer to Mexico City. Six other cartel members were killed and two were arrested, Mexico's Ministry of National Defense announced. Three military members were also injured during the operation.

The operation set off a wave of civil unrest, with vehicles being torched and gunmen, believed to be supported of Oseguera, blocking highways in a more than a dozen states.

As updates continue to unfold, here's what we know about what happened over the weekend and the current state of travel in Mexico.

Live updates: Tourists, locals take cover amid Mexico cartel chaos

Who was El Mencho?

Oseguera, nicknamed "El Mencho," was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an international criminal enterprise. Also referred to by its Spanish initials, CJNG, the cartel dominates much of Guadalajara and controls the outskirts of Jalisco, as well as other states such as Colima and Michoacán. The organization has rivaled the Sinaloa Cartel, run by kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving life in prison.

What travel advisories are in place for tourists in Mexico?

On Feb. 22, the U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Mexico, urging them to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary travel, avoid areas with a large law enforcement presence, monitor local news for updates and follow the directions of local authorities.

As of Feb. 23, the advisory covers the states of Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara), Baja California (Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada), Nayarit (Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta), and parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and Zacatecas states.

The State Department announced on Feb. 23 that the situation has returned to normal in the states of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum), Sinaloa (Mazatlan) and Tamaulipas, which had previously been under the shelter-in-place advisory.

Americans seeking help from a U.S. embassy or consulate can call 1-888-407-4747 in the US and Canada or +1 202-501-4444 from abroad.

Are airports closed in Mexico?

Airports are open in Mexico, though travel has been impacted, specifically at the airports in Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, according to the State Department. On Feb. 22, Air Canada temporarily suspended operations in Puerto Vallarta, Reuters reported. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines also reported diverted or canceled flights over the weekend. On Monday, Feb. 23, Delta Air Lines said it flights may be impacted.