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Cartel violence erupts across Mexico following kingpin's death
Residents and tourists in multiple Mexican states described scenes of destruction after the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) retaliated to the killing of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," during a security operation on Sunday.
Scenes of chaos and fear
Videos shared by locals and visitors showed burning vehicles and thick plumes of smoke rising over towns and cities, including the popular beach resort of Puerto Vallarta. Witnesses reported roadblocks, torched cars, and an eerie silence as authorities issued stay-at-home orders.
Jerry Jones, a Nashville native who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for over four years, told The Meta Times he had never experienced such unrest. "I usually feel safer here than in my hometown," said Jones, owner of the LGBT+ lifestyle magazine Out and About Puerto Vallarta. "The city is beautiful, and the people are kind-that's why I moved here."
Jones said residents were caught off guard when news of El Mencho's death broke. "The first sign something was wrong was a video of a bus on fire sent by a reader," he recalled. Minutes later, smoke filled the sky across the city. By afternoon, military and police presence remained scarce in his neighborhood.
Businesses shut, tourists stranded
Most schools, universities, and shops closed as authorities urged people to stay indoors. Jones described some individuals trapped in stores when violence erupted. "When the city issued the stay-at-home order, the streets became eerily quiet," he said.
Community members stepped in to help, extinguishing fires and assisting stranded tourists. A local grocery store opened briefly on Sunday evening, but the line to enter stretched "unbelievably," Jones noted. He expressed concern about the long-term impact on tourism, though he remained hopeful. "Puerto Vallarta is resilient. We've weathered hurricanes and pandemics together, and businesses here support each other."
Witness accounts paint grim picture
Canadian content creator Marc-André, who lives in Puerto Vallarta with his family, described the town as resembling a "war zone." In a video on his YouTube channel, More Life Diaries, he said, "Hundreds of cars were burning simultaneously. The streets were unsettlingly quiet afterward-no music, no people outside."
Paul Desmond, a California native living in Bucerías, Nayarit, shared drone footage of a deserted highway with smoke visible in the distance. "This isn't normal here," he said. "It's frustrating and ugly."
Tourists from the U.S. and Canada recounted their experiences. Jeff Pass, a Canadian in Puerto Vallarta for a wedding, saw fires from his hotel rooftop. "The staff didn't explain much, but by Monday, taxis and Ubers were running again," he said. However, he and his partner remained uncertain about returning home due to flight cancellations and overwhelmed consulate services.
Adryan Moorefield, a Dallas resident, called the situation a "complete shocker." "It felt like the twilight zone," he told CNN. His flight home was canceled, leaving him stranded. Another tourist, Jim Beck, reported seeing "taxis blown up all over town" as he fled his hotel.
Travel disruptions and government response
Flight cancellations persisted on Monday, stranding many visitors. Air Canada announced it would resume full operations to Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, with flights to Guadalajara resuming Wednesday.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand advised citizens to travel only when "safe to do so." More than 26,000 Canadians abroad registered for security updates, an increase of nearly 8,000 in a single day.
Uncertainty lingers
Residents and tourists alike expressed unease about the days ahead. "I don't know what today will bring," Jones said. "I hope for peace."
