American tourists in Puerto Vallarta said they faced sudden violence and lockdowns after reports that Mexican forces killed cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Visitors told Fox News Digital they saw burning vehicles, blocked roads, and shuttered services as authorities urged people to stay indoors and airlines canceled flights.
Mexico’s military said Sunday that Oseguera died during an operation in Jalisco, according to reporting by the Associated Press and other outlets. Oseguera led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, a major Mexican trafficking group that has built a reputation for heavy firepower and rapid retaliation.
El Mencho death ignites retaliation fears in resort zones
The unrest unfolded as tourists started a typical weekend in a beach destination that usually feels far from cartel conflict. Several visitors said they received alerts to remain inside, and they struggled to find food as businesses closed.
A shelter-in-place order is an instruction to stay indoors and avoid travel while authorities respond to an active threat. Tourists said hotels limited movement and services while security forces worked to restore order.
Tourists say they woke to cars on fire near main roads
Eugene Marchenko, 37, from Charleston, South Carolina, said he woke to horns and saw multiple cars burning near his Airbnb. He told Fox News Digital that flames also reached a nearby fuel tanker, which raised fears of an explosion. He said he and his wife evacuated for several hours.
Marchenko said he later saw heavy damage to small shops and pharmacies. He also described looting in nearby areas, with people taking beer and cigarettes from stores.
Helicopters overhead as armed forces move through streets
Videos obtained by Fox News Digital showed a helicopter circling above buildings and armored vehicles moving through parts of the city. Marchenko said rideshares and public transport stopped, leaving tourists unsure how they would reach the airport even if flights resumed.
Despite the danger, he said many people around him appeared more frustrated than panicked, as they waited for the situation to stabilize.
Hotels ration food while guests weigh whether to leave
Adriana Belli, 49, from Miami, said she planned to attend a wedding in Guadalajara and celebrate in Mexico City. She told Fox News Digital the violence shocked her, especially after speaking with longtime visitors who described Puerto Vallarta as safe.
Belli said some guests who reached the airport ended up stuck there under lockdown, relying on limited food. Another tourist at a separate resort said restaurants and room service closed, and staff gathered guests in the lobby for what he described as the last available meals.
He said he called family in the United States to share contingency plans while waiting for authorities to regain control.
Flight disruptions spread as authorities try to regain control
Airlines canceled or halted flights to Puerto Vallarta amid the unrest, according to Reuters reporting. Travelers said those cancellations left many people stranded at resorts and rentals.
Mexican authorities deployed forces across affected areas as officials assessed the fallout from the operation. Investigators have not released a full public accounting of the incidents in Puerto Vallarta, but tourists and local footage described a fast-moving security crisis that temporarily disrupted daily life in a major international destination.