A Daring Raid Ends a Drug Empire (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Popular resort areas plunged into disorder as American vacationers sheltered in place following the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes at the hands of Mexican security forces.[1][2]
A Daring Raid Ends a Drug Empire
Mexican Army Special Forces launched a precise operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Sunday, February 22, tracking El Mencho through intelligence on his location.[1] The raid killed the cartel boss and eight associates, marking a major blow to one of Mexico’s most violent organizations. United States intelligence played a key role by helping dismantle the group’s communication networks, though no American troops took part.[1]
President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the success of the mission during a Monday press conference. She emphasized that security forces maintained control despite the immediate backlash. The operation highlighted years of bilateral cooperation against cartels responsible for fentanyl trafficking into the US.
Cartel Retaliation Grips Key Cities
Hours after the announcement, suspected CJNG members erupted in violence across Jalisco and beyond. They torched buses, cars, and businesses, erecting over 250 roadblocks in 20 states.[1] In Puerto Vallarta, flames engulfed a Costco warehouse and multiple vehicles, while gunfire echoed through streets.[2]
Clashes left heavy casualties, including 25 National Guard members, alongside 30 cartel fighters. Authorities cleared most blockades overnight by deploying 2,500 additional troops. Airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta saw flights halted by airlines such as United, American, and Aeromexico.
Tourists Share Stories of Fear and Isolation
American visitors described a rapid shift from relaxation to survival mode. Eugene Marchenko, from Charleston, South Carolina, watched six cars burn from his Airbnb balcony. “The taxis stopped moving, Uber stopped moving, so there’s no getting in and out of the city unless you own a vehicle,” he said.[3]
Others faced food shortages and uncertainty. Adriana Belli from Miami noted tourists locked in airports subsisted on granola bars after flights ground to a halt.[4] California traveler Katy Holloman hunkered down in her hotel, citing closed roads as too dangerous for airport runs.
- Dan Smith fled a building amid exploding propane tanks, alarms blaring.
- James Stephens filmed a blazing Costco, warning of cartel bids to control Puerto Vallarta.
- Pregnant visitor Meghan Mahoney saw smoke on all sides and called the scene “scary.”[5]
- RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Denali Foxx assured fans she remained safe while sheltering.
Governments Respond Amid Warnings
The US Embassy issued urgent shelter-in-place orders for citizens in affected areas like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. President Donald Trump urged Mexico to intensify anti-cartel efforts.[1] Mexican officials reported progress in restoring order, with curfews in place and football matches postponed.
Secretary of Security Omar García Harfuch detailed the toll: “Twenty-five members of the National Guard… died… 30 criminals also lost their lives.” Sheinbaum insisted, “Peace, security and normalcy are being maintained.”[1]
Key Takeaways
- El Mencho’s death disrupts CJNG but sparks short-term violence in tourist hubs.
- US intelligence aided the raid without direct military role.
- Travelers face flight cancellations and transport shutdowns; sheltering advised.
Mexico’s battle against cartels exposed the thin line between paradise resorts and peril zones. As roads reopen and flights resume, stranded visitors eye a path home. What do you think about the risks of traveling in cartel territories? Tell us in the comments.