NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US and Canadian airlines canceled dozens of flights to parts of Mexico on Sunday as violence broke out following the killing of a major drug kingpin.

US carriers Alaska, United and Southwest, along with Canada’s WestJet and Air Canada, all announced the suspension of flights to locations including Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Manzanillo.

Meanwhile, the US State Department urged American citizens in Mexico to shelter in place amid violence, road blocks and flight cancellations.

“Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, US citizens should shelter in place until further notice,” said a statement from the department’s Consular Affairs section on social media platform X.

“Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta,” it said.

Nemesio Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a US$15 million bounty on his head.

Canada said it was monitoring the situation closely and advised Canadians in Mexico to “keep a low profile and follow advice of local authorities.”

It urged citizens in Michoacan, Guerrero and Jalisco states to shelter in place, citing “shootouts with security forces and explosions.”

Several US and Canadian airlines cancelled flights to parts of Mexico on Sunday following the unrest.

American carriers United, Southwest, and Alaska, as well as the Canadian airlines Air Canada and WestJet/Sunwing, announced the cancellation of flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and Manzanillo.