Cartel Kingpin Taken Out — Now Americans Are Caught In The Middle

Some of the most popular vacation spots for American tourists have been rocked by cartel violence following the weekend killing of a top cartel leader, stranding some travelers.

Mexican special forces killed longtime Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes during an operation in the southwestern town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, the Mexican government said.

Following the killing, cartel members set buses and cars ablaze and erected roadblocks in certain areas.

As a result, the State Department urged American citizens to “shelter in place” if they are in Jalisco State — including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara — as well as in Tamaulipas, which borders Texas, parts of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Nuevo León.

American and Canadian airlines quickly canceled flights out of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. By Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said flights were expected to resume out of both cities, according to USA Today.

Some American tourists have taken to TikTok to share their experiences while stranded during their vacations, describing hotels placed on lockdown amid nearby violence.

“Flights are canceled, we couldn’t even get to the airport. So we’re stuck here,” one woman named Kaila posted on social media from her trip in Puerto Vallarta.

@kailargibson I wanna go home ???? #vacation #mexico #puertovallarta ♬ Atomized Language – yasuhiro soda

One American tourist, Jim Beck, who said he has been visiting Puerto Vallarta “for almost twenty years,” told CNN that it’s the first time he’s been “actually terrified” while there.

“We saw people running down the streets, running from the flames and stuff and the fire. And we ran back to the hotel and then that’s when they got the shelter in order place and we’ve been here all day,” Beck said.

“It’s been pretty scary … all the locals being locked up and hidden with us too, there’s a few homeless people that were brought into this hotel … so that they had some place to go too. It’s been quite surreal knowing this warm, wonderful place that we come to visit a couple times a year is in lockdown and just terrifying for all the people,” he said.

@vivianharrah We have been sheltered in place all day! Stay safe out there everyone! #mexico #puertovallarta ♬ New Sun – Chihei Hatakeyama

Another tourist shared how the once-vibrant beach town appeared deserted.

“We’re locked down at the hotels. Absolutely no cars or buses on the road,” one tourist named Mikey said in a TikTok video. “There’s absolutely nobody out, the hotels are locked, nobody in or out of the resort.”

“I don’t know if we’re gonna be able to get out, but we’ll be able to keep the room if we need to stay here a few days,” he added.

@nymikeca4718 We’re locked in at the hotel for now. Monitoring updates and staying put. Hoping things settle down tonight and don’t escalate. Grateful we’re safe and just taking it hour by hour. Sharing real-time so anyone traveling can stay informed. #PuertoVallartaUpdate #TravelAdvisory #StaySafe #RealTimeUpdate #Mousai ♬ original sound – Mikey C ❌