Tourists report fear, sheltering in hotels, and canceled flights after Mexico’s most wanted drug lord “El Mencho” was killed in a military operation and armed groups set fire to cars and buildings across the aztec country. Authorities urge people to stay indoors while tourist destinations remain under limited mobility.
The US Embassy are ordered to Shelter in Place following explosive cartel violence in the following regions:
The Facebook page Donald Trump for President reported: “Cartels are INDISCRIMINATELY targeting civilians in retaliation for the US/Mexico operation kiIIing El Mencho, one of the most powerful cartel leaders”.
A typical Sunday in paradise has turned into a terrifying scene for tourists in Puerto Vallarta and across the state of Jalisco. Following a high-stakes military operation that killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, retaliatory attacks have left the region under a “Code Red” emergency.
Cartel members have set fire to dozens of vehicles and buildings across Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara to create roadblocks and hinder military movement.
Massive plumes of black smoke are currently visible across the city’s hotel zone and coastlines as cartel gunmen clash with federal forces in the open.
Travelers report being surrounded by burning cars near their resorts, with many tourists filming intense scenes of flames and chaos from their balconies.
Airports in Chaos & Shut Down 🏛️🚫
Terrifying videos show passengers and staff sprinting through the Guadalajara International Airport in a panic following reports of gunfire as cartel groups allegedly attempted to storm the facility.
Air Canada, Porter, and WestJet have cancelled or suspended all flight operations to Puerto Vallarta due to the “ongoing security situation”.
With roads to the airport blocked and all taxi and rideshare services suspended, many tourists are currently trapped at their locations.
Emergency Directives & Military Surge 📉🛫
Both the U.S. Embassy and Global Affairs Canada have issued urgent alerts for all citizens in Jalisco to shelter in place and minimize all movement until further notice.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus has officially activated a “Code Red,” suspending public transportation statewide and flooding the streets with military and National Guard forces.
Officials warn that military operations are still active in the region, and there are unconfirmed fears that power and communication lines could be cut to isolate cartel groups.
The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, confirmed the unrest shortly after the operation began, stating that criminal groups responded by burning vehicles and blocking highways in both the southern region and metropolitan areas.
“A few hours ago, federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa, which led to clashes in the area. Following this operation, in several locations in this region and other parts of Jalisco, individuals burned and blocked vehicles in an attempt to obstruct the authorities’ actions,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I gave instructions to immediately establish a security coordination table with authorities from all three levels of government and to activate the red alert in order to prevent acts against the population,” he added.
Desde el primer minuto del operativo implementado este domingo por las autoridades federales en Tapalpa, hemos mantenido una coordinación y colaboración constante con los tres órdenes de Gobierno.
Vivimos horas críticas en las que se atendieron incidentes en distintos lugares… pic.twitter.com/Fopv6ZjKz3
— Pablo Lemus Navarro (@PabloLemusN) February 23, 2026
"El Mencho":
Porque esta es el último registro de voz del líder narco, donde se lo aprecia cagando a puteadas a un policía y amenazándolo como si nada que iba a matar a toda su familia. "Soy Mencho wey".pic.twitter.com/o7OYwvBD1U— Tendencias (@TTendenciaX) February 22, 2026
In Jalisco, officials reported that 20 branches of the state-run bank were either set on fire or damaged, while groups set cars ablaze to obstruct over 20 roads. Authorities in Jalisco announced the suspension of public transportation in certain areas and advised hotels to instruct their guests to stay indoors, including in Puerto Vallarta, a popular beach destination for both American and Mexican tourists.
Hey Americans that are stuck in Puerto Vallarta stay safe and don’t worry because @FBIDirectorKash will get right on it to help you out there after he’s done partying with USA hockey in Italy pic.twitter.com/6YGI9YBJAk
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) February 22, 2026
NEW: Tourists shelter in place at a hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) takes the city hostage, burning down buildings and setting vehicles on fire, creating roadblocks in response to their leader El Mencho being killed by the Mexican… pic.twitter.com/2Ju2E3ydiD
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) February 22, 2026
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