US tourists have been stranded and told to seek shelter in a Mexican beach town after the killing of a notorious cartel leader sparked a wave of violence across the country.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” was killed in a military operation in the western state of Jalisco on Sunday, officials said.
Video footage shared online shows cars set ablaze in Puerto Vallarta, where frightened tourists described a “war zone” as plumes of dark smoke rose into the sky from around the bay. American tourists in the city have told CNN that they have been locked in their hotels awaiting guidance for when it is safe to go outside.
Air Canada, United Airlines, Aeromexico and American Airlines have all suspended flights in the area, while the US State Department has urged American citizens in multiple Mexican states to remain indoors.
Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum stressed that activities in most areas of the country were proceeding as usual on Sunday.
However, schools in various states across the country had protectively canceled classes for Monday, according to local authorities.
Violence erupts across Mexico after killing of cartel leader
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage.
One of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera, or “El Mencho,” was killed in a military raid on Sunday, sparking widespread retaliatory violence.
His corpse arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon in a heavily guarded convoy of National Guard troops.
Daniel Keane23 February 2026 07:39
