Jakarta. The Foreign Ministry has confirmed the safety of dozens of Indonesian nationals in Mexico’s Jalisco state as violent unrest erupts following a military operation that killed a major drug cartel leader.

The ministry said on Tuesday that all Indonesians in Jalisco are safe and complying with local government advisories to remain indoors. The unrest follows retaliatory attacks by organized crime groups after the reported death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Heni Hamidah, acting director for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the ministry, said Indonesia’s embassy in Mexico City, working with the country’s honorary consul in Guadalajara, is closely monitoring the security situation.

“Based on our latest data, there are 45 Indonesian citizens residing in Jalisco. All are currently safe and following instructions from local authorities to avoid outdoor activities,” Heni said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Indonesians living in Jalisco work in a range of professions, including clergy, professional massage therapists, business owners, and company employees. Given the volatile situation, the embassy has issued a formal advisory urging Indonesians in affected areas to maintain heightened vigilance, stay indoors until conditions stabilize and follow directions from local security forces. Indonesians at home have also been advised to postpone non-essential travel to Mexico.

For emergencies, the government has activated hotline numbers at the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City and the ministry’s citizen protection directorate.

The violence escalated after Mexico’s army special forces conducted an operation on Sunday in Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco state. The raid reportedly killed seven members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, including its top leader, El Mencho.

His death triggered widespread retaliatory attacks across the state, including vehicle arson, road blockades and armed assaults in multiple cities. Local media reported that at least 27 state officials were killed in the unrest.

The cartel at the center of the violence, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, is considered one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups, with a stronghold in Jalisco and influence across several regions of the country.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appealed for calm, saying authorities were coordinating across states to restore order.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry said it would continue to closely track developments and update citizens as the situation evolves.

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