Costa Rica has issued a migration monitoring alert at all immigration checkpoints for travelers arriving from Mexico following unrest that broke out Sunday after the reported killing of alleged drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho.”

Public Security Minister Mario Zamora said the decree is intended to prevent anyone linked to drug trafficking from entering Costa Rican territory.

Under the order, all border posts receiving travelers by air, land and sea must closely review information generated through the integration of Costa Rica’s immigration systems with alerts and records from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“We are issuing this migration alert in coordination with the DEA and CBP of the United States to strengthen our immigration safeguards by feeding them intelligence information, to ensure that individuals connected to drug trafficking activities and criminal organizations based in Mexico or any other country in the region do not enter Costa Rica,” Zamora said.

Authorities also issued a second alert for Costa Rican citizens residing in Mexico, specifically in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero, Nuevo León, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Aguascalientes.

The Foreign Ministry said Sunday that, amid rising security incidents linked to clashes between Mexican authorities and drug trafficking groups, Costa Ricans in those areas should remain calm, exercise heightened caution and stay inside their homes or lodging.

The ministry urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from visiting crowded public places and stay informed exclusively through official local government channels.

Officials said that in the event of an emergency, Costa Ricans should immediately contact local security services or the Consulate of Costa Rica in Mexico City by calling +(52) 555-525-7764 or emailing concr-mx@rree.go.cr

As of Sunday, Costa Rican authorities had not issued a travel advisory recommending against travel to Mexico or urging Costa Ricans to leave the country.

In Mexico, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection said Sunday that Mexican Army special forces were carrying out an operation to arrest Oseguera, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, when soldiers were attacked, triggering a shootout.

Seven cartel members were killed during the operation. Four died at the scene, and three (including Oseguera) died while being transported to Mexico City.

Following news of Oseguera’s death, violence spread across parts of the country, including the burning of buses and road blockades.

Most domestic and international flights were reportedly canceled in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Rideshare services were also suspended in Puerto Vallarta.

On Monday, 33 of Puerto Vallarta’s 82 scheduled flights ( about 40%) were canceled, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. In Guadalajara, 26 of 162 scheduled flights, roughly 16%, were canceled. The company said it would continue updating flight cancellation information on its website and advised travelers to monitor their flights directly with their airlines.

Last week, Costa Rica warned citizens to avoid travel to Cuba and urged those already in the Caribbean nation to leave while commercial flights are still operating, citing worsening shortages of fuel, electricity and essential goods.

Early this month, Costa Rica urged citizens to avoid traveling to the Middle East due to escalating conflicts and worsening security conditions across the region.

The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry, which oversees the nation’s diplomatic missions and foreign policy, underscored that its ability to assist citizens in crises abroad is limited and urged Costa Ricans abroad to prepare accordingly.

The Ministry of Public Security is the government organization responsible for maintaining public order, training police units, and coordinating national anti-crime efforts.

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