A video circulating on social media shows the state of a section of State Highway 544 in Jalisco after members of a criminal organization dug a massive hole. Witnesses report that the main damage is evident just past the La Estancia de Landeros bridge, in the municipality of San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco. The action completely blocked vehicular traffic, cutting off direct communication for drivers heading towards Puerto Vallarta or Mascota. Heavy machinery tracks are visible in the hole, which may have been used by presumed criminals during the federal operation in which Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, 'El Mencho', leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed. The footage suggests the trench was likely dug as part of a planned blockade to halt traffic for several hours. Social media users have reported difficulties traveling and are warning about the risks of the road, especially for private vehicles and cargo trucks that normally use this route. State Highway 544 is a crucial stretch connecting the mountainous region of Jalisco with the Pacific coast. Near San Sebastián del Oeste, the road passes through rural areas and neighboring ranches like El Ranchito, El Cantón, El Zancudo, El Colorado, El Aguacate, and Rancho Nacar, affecting the local population, transporters, and tourists who use the road. It has also been reported that another section of the same highway, known as La Desembocada, closer to Puerto Vallarta, also remains closed, affecting mobility in that area. Currently, State Highway 544 remains blocked at various points, complicating travel to the coast and to municipalities within the state. So far, authorities have not officially announced the restoration of traffic or an estimated time for removing the obstacles. Circulation remains suspended, although motorcyclists and pedestrians have been able to cross in some areas, causing congestion on alternate routes and impacting the local population, tourists, and transporters. This incident adds to a series of blockades and violent events recorded in various parts of Jalisco following 'El Mencho's' death, reflecting how organized crime actions can affect mobility, security, and the population's perception of risk. To date, the government of Jalisco has not indicated what the repair plan will be for the highway sections after the violent events of this Sunday.
