Smoke billows from burning vehicles amid a wave of violence, with burned vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho”, was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, February 22 2026, in this screenshot obtained from a video on social media.
Stringer | Reuters
U.S. and Canadian airlines have halted flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara in Mexico after violence erupted in the country following the Mexican army’s killing of a cartel leader.
The U.S. State Department on Sunday asked U.S. citizens to shelter in place, citing “ongoing security operations and resulting roadblocks and criminal activity.”
AirCanada, American airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and others canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and to Guadalajara, which is also in the state of Jalisco. Airlines have waived change fees for affected travelers.
Flights to other major airports in the country, such as Mexico City and Cancun, were not affected by the unrest.
Stranded passengers line up at Guadalajara Airport in Tlajomulco, Jalisco, Mexico, February 23, 2026, to claim compensation for flights canceled or postponed the day before.
Ulises Ruiz | Afp | Getty Images
Several Mexican states also canceled school on Monday after the country’s military killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. Known as “El Mencho,” he led one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, known for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and for brazen attacks on government officials who challenged him, the Associated Press reported.
He was killed in a shooting in his home state of Jalisco, the AP said.
Airlines regularly suspend services due to unrest and infrastructure problems to prevent passengers, crews and planes from being stranded.