More than the headlines

by Scarlett Gilligan, la Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Mexico

N.B. In late February 2026 there were reports of cartel-related unrest and violence in Mexico. This was primarily in western Mexico, but some other cities, including Puebla City, experienced some spillover disruption.

This blog is a little more serious. As important as it is to focus on the amazing things that a year abroad can provide, nothing is ever perfect. Just like anywhere in the world, things can change overnight.

This week in Mexico, a large figure in the cartel realm was killed, sparking violence across parts of the country. We found out on the way back from our Malinche hike, when I was with my volunteering programme. It was quite a shock. At that point, we didn’t know the gravity of the situation — the only thing I had read was that cartels were “burning buses” in Puebla. And there I was, in charge of a bus full of international students, travelling along the motorway through Puebla.

Our trip hadn’t quite gone to plan in the first place. Due to dangerous weather conditions, we were forced to come down from the mountain at 10am rather than 1pm. As a result, all of our timings were brought forward, and we arrived back in Cholula at 3pm instead of 8pm. I have never been a big believer in fate, but I will always believe that someone was looking out for us that day and brought us down safely. That evening, we were told that the route we had taken home later suffered one of the blockades.

One of the first things I did was inform my family. News like this can spread quickly — and often incorrectly — when travelling across countries. The university informed us that classes were suspended, and many shops closed for safety reasons. The general advice was to stay inside and avoid the streets. Walking back that afternoon felt eerie. Cholula, usually a place beaming with life, felt tense — like walking on eggshells, unsure of what would come next. Getting home was a relief, and being in a house with others in the same position was comforting.

Suddenly, everything that had felt normal before felt different. The fireworks sounded louder. I noticed every police siren. Social media was pumping out dangerous pieces of news from around Cholula, some from years ago. This was the most frustrating part. Within a few hours, social media began recycling old headlines and spreading fear, with many people sharing things without properly checking what they were reading.

I spent my unexpected day off university on my phone, speaking to family and friends. Calming them down and explaining what was actually happening was surprisingly grounding — it reminded me that my area was safe. Staying connected to reality made me feel much better than watching violent videos all day.

Slowly, things began to feel more normal again. I am still battling with some foreign headlines that try to demonise every person here. Yes, what is happening is tragic, and many people are suffering — but that is not the fault of ordinary people. I have learned to trust what I see and experience here, rather than allowing distant headlines to define an entire country.

Though this has been a strange and unsettling time, it has not taken away my love for Mexico. This is the country that welcomes me, that teaches me how to dance and eat to my heart’s content. I hope not, but should you ever find yourself in a similar position, fear is valid — but never let it overpower your love and appreciation.

Viva México <3