A man extinguishes a burning truck set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. 

U.S. citizens are being urged to shelter in place amid unrest in Puerto Vallarta, one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. Flights in and out of the airport are also being canceled, delayed or diverted Sunday.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an alert to American citizens Sunday morning to shelter in place “until further notice” if they are currently in Jalisco State, which includes Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara, Tamaulipas State or areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State and Nuevo Leon State. The advisory warns citizens to “avoid crowds,” “seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements” and “monitor local media for updates.”

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Videos posted to social media and by local journalists show black smoke from car fires in the area, and there are reports of burning vehicles blocking roadways in Jalisco. The unrest is reportedly linked to a military operation targeting a powerful drug lord. The Associated Press reported Sunday that the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho,” was killed in the operation. Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in an operation to capture him Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara and he died while being flown to Mexico City, the Defense Department said in a statement. 

The killing of the powerful drug lord set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are commonly used by the cartels to block military operations.

A firefighter extinguishes a burning bus set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. 

“Criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities in Jalisco State, including in Puerto Vallarta,” Global Affairs Canada said in an alert. “There have been shootouts with security forces and explosions. A shelter in place order is in effect in Puerto Vallarta. All taxi and rideshare services are suspended until further notice.”

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Videos circulating social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over Puerto Vallarta, and people sprinting through the airport of the state's capital in panic. Tourists are being told to shelter at their hotels as unrest continues on the streets of the resort town, and Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus told residents to stay at home and suspended public transportation.

United Airlines and Air Canada announced Sunday they canceled all operations in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday due to the “ongoing security situation.” Other airlines are following suit, with many departures from SFO, San Jose and LAX canceled Sunday. Airlines are asking customers to check with them before heading to the airport. There is no timetable for when the shelter in place will be lifted.

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Don't let Google decide who you trust.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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