A total of 1,080 tourists found themselves stranded and under police protection at the Guadalajara Zoo after violent conflicts erupted following the military operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho', the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). These visitors, who had arrived on Sunday morning from various states including Nayarit, Colima, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, and Michoacán, were unable to return home due to road blockades, referred to as narcobloqueos, set up by cartel members in response to the operation.

The group comprised seniors, youths, and children, who were forced to spend the night in their buses, vans, and cars parked in the zoo's lot. The Mexican government's Security Cabinet confirmed that 'El Mencho' was killed during a confrontation with federal forces on February 22nd, which sparked a wave of violence across Jalisco, particularly seen in the form of narcobloqueos and armed clashes.

Authorities have been closely monitoring the situation and have mobilized additional forces to restore order and ensure the safety of both the local population and the stranded tourists. The incidents reflect the continuing struggle between security forces and drug cartels in Mexico, raising concerns about civilian safety in regions affected by cartel violence and the broader implications for tourism and local economies in areas plagued by such unrest.