The head has finally been cut off the snake and Americans would be forgiven for thinking peace is set to follow.

Times reporters visiting Tapalpa found a serene town in shock after Sunday’s raid on its outskirts left dozens dead and people fleeing. And, surprisingly, no police or military presence where the battle took place.

The violence that followed the killing of a cartel leader in Mexico is fueling fears that the bloodshed could hurt tourism ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year.

Mexican security forces kept up their battle with cartel gunmen following the killing that sparked a surge in violence and put the country on edge. Authorities said more than 70 people died in the attempt to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and the aftermath.

Drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes may be dead, but the Jalisco cartel he ran for years will likely outlive him—thanks, in part, to the criminal group’s embrace of technology.

Álvarez González and his network of shell companies flourished between 2018 and 2024, during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. During that period, he established 45% of the companies he allegedly used to launder money for the Jalisco cartel.

Despite American carriers resuming and adding flights to and from Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, several North Texans are still stranded in the region following an outbreak of cartel violence.

Many American citizens were caught in the middle of Mexico cartel violence earlier this week following the death of cartel boss “El Mencho" and are now sharing harrowing accounts.