Several US travelers have found themselves unable to leave Mexico following reports that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — better known as ‘El Mencho’ — has been killed.
Oseguera Cervantes, described as Mexico’s most wanted drug trafficker and the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was reportedly killed on Sunday (February 22) during a security operation aimed at arresting him.
According to the reports, he was seriously injured during a confrontation between cartel supporters and the Mexican army, and later died while being transported to Mexico City.
In the wake of the incident, four CJNG members were also reported killed, while three soldiers were injured. Authorities said unrest then spread widely, with CJNG-linked groups setting vehicles on fire, erecting roadblocks, and targeting security forces across eight Mexican states.
La Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional reportó el operativo llevado a cabo esta mañana por fuerzas federales, que derivó en diversos bloqueos y otras reacciones.
Existe absoluta coordinación con gobiernos de todos los estados; debemos mantenernos informados y en calma.
Las redes…
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) February 22, 2026
Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, addressed the situation in a statement posted on X, saying: “The Secretariat of National Defense reported on the operation carried out this morning by federal forces, which resulted in various blockades and other reactions.
“There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm.
“The social media accounts of the Security Cabinet provide permanent updates. In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.”
The statement added: “My recognition to the Mexican Army, National Guard, Armed Forces, and Security Cabinet. We work every day for peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico.”
Alongside the road closures and violence, some outbound flights were reportedly canceled, leaving a number of tourists — including Americans — unable to depart.
Adryan Moorefield, a Dallas resident vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, said he was meant to fly home on Sunday but is now stuck after unrest affected the resort city.
“It was such a complete shocker, and it almost felt like being in the twilight zone,” he told CNN. “We’ve been to PV before and thought that this would be a no brainer place to come and do a quick, easy beach vacation.”
Another American visitor, Jim Beck, who was also in Puerto Vallarta, said he woke up on Sunday morning to what appeared to be widespread destruction in the city.
Beck told CNN: “Then immediately, everyone was running down the street, screaming and yelling, and they told everyone to get back to their hotels.”
A different tourist, identified only as Mari, said she was sheltering in her hotel as the situation unfolded.
“We have two little kids, and it’s really scary,” she told CNN. “The entire bay was just covered in fire. For hours, there was just a billow of smoke, hovering. You could not see anything across.”