Developing story…Mexican resort town, airport under siege after army kills cartel leader

Daily News Article   —   Posted on February 23, 2026

(By Marie Pohl, Jorge Fitz-Gibbon, NY Post) – A major Mexican resort town was under siege on Sunday as drug cartels lashed out after the leader of the brutal Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed in Tapalpa in Jalisco during a raid by Mexican forces, authorities said.

Tourists in Puerto Vallarta were warned to stay indoors as narco gangs went on a rampage following the death of drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful boss of the violent crime outfit.

The US State Department urged Americans to shelter in place, and some American tourists have reported being trapped in the region.

“We are here at a hotel in the hotel zone,” one stranded tourist posted online. “Staying put until we get the all clear. All of the businesses in the area have closed.”

Mexican officials reported on the violence throughout the day.

“Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area,” Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said on X.

“Also as a result of said operation in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals [Cartel members] have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of authorities.”

Navarro added that much of Jalisco was in a “code red.”

“We reiterate the recommendation to avoid leaving your homes,” Navarro said. “The clashes are occurring in several federal entities.”

Mexican officials said cartel thugs began setting blazes throughout Jalisco to block federal forces during the raid, the Spanish-language news outlet El Universal reported.

The chaos has tourists in the Pacific Ocean vacation spot of Puerto Vallarta holed up inside their hotels as cars and barricades burn in the streets.

As panic spread throughout the region, reports surfaced of gunfire at Guadalajara International Airport — with one video posted online showing what appear to be passengers running for shelter.

In a statement later in the day, the Pacific Airport Group said the Mexican National Guard had been dispatched to the bustling airport but maintained it was operating as usual.

“It is important to clarify that no incidents have been reported inside the facilities, and there is no risk to passengers, staff or visitors,” the statement said.

“The information and material circulating on social media do not correspond with any danger at the terminals, rather to the panic among passengers.”

The violence has paralyzed a hugely populated swath of Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is the country’s fourth-largest tourism destination, while Guadalajara’s airport is the country’s third-busiest with 18.7 million travelers every year.

Meanwhile, Air Canada cancelled flights into Puerto Vallarta Airport “due to an ongoing security situation,” urging passengers to stay home.

The mayhem also saw merchants shut down their shops in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Guanajuato, as black smoke rose from burning barricades throughout the region.

Jalisco government officials announced that schools would be closed on Monday and said all large community events would be shelved until the violence subsides.

Smoke could be seen rising from the streets late into the day on Sunday, with roadblocks of piled vehicles and debris still burning.

Authorities have called in backup from federal forces to combat the violence, according to the reports.

Oseguera Cervantes [El Mencho], a sixth-grade dropout and a former cop, became one of Mexico’s most feared cartel bosses following the [2017] arrest and conviction of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman by US authorities.

President Trump last year [on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2025], declared the cartel an international terrorist organization and pressured Mexico to crack down, while the US had a $15 million bounty on Oseguera Cervantes [El Mencho].

He had been indicted several times in Washington, DC, since 2017, most recently in April 2022, when he was charged with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances for illegal importation into the US.

The 53-year-old kingpin was killed in Tapalpa in Jalisco during a raid by Mexican forces, Spanish-language news outlet Milenio reported Sunday.

“During this operation, military personnel were attacked, so in defense of their integrity, they repelled the aggression, resulting in four members of the CJNG criminal group being killed at the scene and three seriously injured who lost their lives during their transfer by air to Mexico City,” Mexican defense officials said in a statement.

Oseguera Cervantes was among those who died in transport.

Following [El Mencho’s] death, cartel gunmen launched assaults in Jalisco, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato and Aguescalientes, as well as Veracruz, the local outlets said.

With Post wires

Published at NY Post on Feb. 22, 2025. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.