A veteran-led rescue organization has commenced operations in Mexico to assist stranded Americans following a surge of violence attributed to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The turmoil escalated after the death of the cartel’s leader, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” on October 15, 2023. This situation has prompted the deployment of the Grey Bull Rescue team, which specializes in high-risk evacuations.
According to reports, Grey Bull Rescue, founded by Bryan Stern, initiated rescue efforts on Monday as violence erupted across Jalisco and other states in Mexico. Stern emphasized the need for caution, advising Americans to remain indoors until conditions improve. “If you’re in a location that is relatively safe, stay where you shelter in place and hunker down,” he stated. “It may be uncomfortable — but uncomfortable and safe is better than comfortable and dead.”
Since its establishment in 2021, Grey Bull Rescue has conducted over 800 missions, evacuating more than 8,000 Americans and allies from active conflict zones. Many citizens are currently sheltering in places like Puerto Vallarta and other nearby resort areas, as they wait for the situation to stabilize.
The violence follows a military operation that resulted in Oseguera Cervantes’s death, which the cartel responded to with a violent wave of retribution. Reports indicate that over 70 fatalities occurred on Monday alone, including 25 members of the National Guard. The scale and organization of the cartel’s retaliation have been described by Stern as akin to warfare, highlighting the cartel’s significant resources and strategic capabilities. “The enemy, the bad guys — these are not punk kids with face tattoos. The cartels are extremely organized, very well-resourced and very prepared,” he noted.
In response to the escalating violence, major airlines, including Air Canada and Air Alaska, have resumed flights to and from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara after Mexican forces cleared over 250 roadblocks established by the cartel across 20 states. The Mexican government has deployed an additional 2,500 soldiers to western Mexico to combat the cartel’s influence.
The United States Embassy is currently advising American citizens in the regions of Jalisco, Baja, and Nayarit to shelter in place until further notice. As the situation continues to develop, the Grey Bull Rescue team remains on standby to assist those in need of evacuation.
