Most of the current, high‑profile violence in Mexico is concentrated in specific regions and corridors rather than evenly spread across the whole country.

Main areas of violence

  • Western states (Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Nayarit)
    These are core areas for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Recent days saw roadblocks, burned vehicles, and clashes especially in Jalisco (Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta corridors) and Michoacán after the killing of cartel leader “El Mencho.”

Guadalajara’s airport was disrupted and streets emptied as residents sheltered at home.

  • Bajío region (Guanajuato, particularly Salamanca)
    Guanajuato has recorded some of the highest homicide numbers in the country for several years, driven by clashes between the Jalisco cartel and the local Santa Rosa de Lima cartel.

Recent examples include a mass shooting at a soccer field in Salamanca, where 11 people were killed and 12 injured in an area contested by rival groups.

  • Border and trafficking corridors
    Violence often spikes in states that are major trafficking routes or refinery/port hubs—places where cartels fight for control over fuel theft, drug routes, and extortion economies.

Analysts describe “hotspots” inside states, where some municipalities see extreme conflict while neighboring areas are relatively calmer, showing that violence is very localized.

  • Multi‑state flare‑ups after major operations
    After the recent operation that killed “El Mencho,” armed groups set up roadblocks and burned vehicles across at least 7–20 states, including Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato and parts of Tamaulipas, temporarily spreading visible violence far beyond a single city.

Flights were canceled and travelers in some tourist zones reported gunfire and explosions before alerts later said conditions had “returned to normal” in key resort states like Quintana Roo and Sinaloa.

How to think about “where” the violence is

  • Violence clusters in specific municipalities, highways, and strategic towns (oil refineries, ports, border crossings), not uniformly across all of Mexico.
  • Some tourist areas experience flare‑ups when cartel disputes spill over, but authorities also move quickly to restore order because of economic and World Cup–related pressure.
  • Many cities and regions remain relatively routine day‑to‑day, while others live with frequent shootings, blockades, and extortion tied to organized crime.

If you tell me whether you’re asking out of travel concerns, news interest, or personal safety, I can narrow this down to the regions and cities most relevant to you and suggest practical precautions.