Texans Stranded in Mexico Amid Cartel Violence After El Mencho's Death

Members of the National Guard in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 22, 2026, conduct an operation aboard a Rhino, an armored tactical vehicle used for high-impact operations and critical security situations, after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ''El Mencho,'' leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, by federal forces. (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Texans vacationing on Mexico’s Pacific coast woke up to a kind of travel nightmare: thick smoke in the distance and hotel staff telling guests it wasn’t safe to leave.

The U.S. government has advised Americans in parts of Mexico to shelter in place after Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died during a federal security operation in western Mexico.

Travelers across the resort corridor — including Puerto Vallarta — are being urged to stay alert and follow federal guidance after cartel violence erupted following the killing of one of the country’s most powerful drug leaders.

“Texans’ safety is my top priority, whether they are here at home or traveling abroad,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday. “I urge all Texans in Mexico to follow the guidance of U.S. officials, stay alert, and ensure they are in contact with the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate. Situations on the ground can change quickly, and staying informed can save lives.”

ANKARA, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 23: An infographic titled "States where violence erupted following the killing of El Mencho" created in Ankara, Turkiye on February 23, 2026. (Photo by Yilmaz Yucel/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Abbott encouraged Texans in Mexico — and those with family members traveling there — to closely follow State Department warnings as security operations and road blockages continue.

The governor’s office said the Texas Department of Public Safety is coordinating with federal partners, including the State Department and FBI, to monitor the situation and share information about safety risks.

Officials also encouraged Texans needing assistance to contact:

• The U.S. State Department at 1-888-407-4747
• The Texas Fusion Center at 1-844-927-0521

Flights canceled, travelers stranded

The violence has already disrupted travel between Texas and Mexico. Airlines canceled or paused flights to Puerto Vallarta and nearby airports as unrest spread, leaving some travelers unable to return home.

Investigative police officers guard the facilities of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime of the Attorney General's Office in Mexico City, Mexico, on February 22, 2026, during an operation and the escort of a Rhino, an armored tactical vehicle used for high-impact operations and critical security situations, following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes ''El Mencho,'' leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, by federal forces. (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

WFAA-TV in Dallas reported a North Texas traveler, Juanita Cano, stranded in Mexico as airport operations and road access were disrupted. Cruise operators also canceled planned stops in the region amid security concerns.

Another Dallas traveler, TJ Perry, posted a series of TikTok videos describing what he said was a sudden lockdown at his hotel.

“Puerto Vallarta is on fire right now,” Perry said in one video, adding that hotel staff told guests not to leave and that his scheduled flight home had been canceled.

In a later video, he described uncertainty around road access and said many local workers were unable to travel because of blockades. Perry asked his views to pray for fellow travelers, locals, and hotel workers during the uncertainty.

What happened: How Mexican authorities say El Mencho died

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 23: Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar Garcia Harfuch (L) Mexico's Secretary of Defense Ricardo Trevilla (C) and Secretary of the Navy Raymundo Morales attend a press conference following the military operation in which cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho' was killed, at the National Palace, in Mexico City, Mexico on February 23, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Mexican officials said Oseguera was located in Tapalpa, Jalisco, and wounded during a confrontation with special forces before dying while being transported for treatment.

According to updated reporting from The New York Times, authorities said intelligence from someone close to Oseguera helped lead them to his location, and U.S. officials provided additional information supporting the operation.

Mexican authorities said the raid and violence that followed left dozens dead, including suspected cartel members, security personnel and civilians.

Why violence spread after the killing

After confirmation of Oseguera’s death, coordinated violence broke out across multiple regions. Authorities and witnesses reported burning vehicles, road blockades and attacks meant to disrupt security forces and restrict movement.

A view of a burned car, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on February 22, 2026. The Mexican army announced that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country on February 22, 2026. Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, which includes Tapalpa, with burning cars and trucks. The violence spread to other states as well. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)
ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images

The tactics can quickly affect major highways and airport access, which helps explain why travelers in tourist areas such as Puerto Vallarta were impacted even if violence was not widespread there.

What Americans in Mexico are being told to do

The U.S. Embassy advised Americans in affected states to:

• Shelter in place until further notice
• Avoid areas where law enforcement or military operations are underway
• Limit road travel, especially on highways
• Monitor official alerts and local news
• Keep family and friends informed of their location

GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 22: A view of the site where Mexican Army troops killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation), during a federal operation in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on February 22, 2026. Earlier in the day, armed men blocked several highways in the western state of Jalisco, setting vehicles and trucks on fire in response to the federal security operation in the region (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

The guidance does not mean violence is occurring everywhere, but officials say conditions can change rapidly.

What this means for Texans traveling this week

Travel experts say Texans planning trips to Mexico should closely monitor airline updates and government alerts.

For those already in the region, officials recommend following hotel guidance and using official information sources.

Feb 23, 2026