Puerto Vallarta, a renowned tourist destination in Mexico, descended into turmoil following a federal operation targeting a leading cartel figure, leaving some visitors caught in the upheaval.

In the early hours of Sunday, the Mexican Army launched an operation in the quaint town of Tapalpa, situated approximately 80 miles south of Guadalajara in Jalisco state.

According to high-ranking officials who briefed local media, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed during the operation.

El Mencho was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a formidable drug trafficking organization heavily involved in smuggling methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro took to X, announcing, “Federal forces executed an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, resulting in clashes in the region.”

He added, “In response to this operation, individuals have set vehicles ablaze and blocked roads at various locations in Jalisco to obstruct the authorities’ efforts.”

‘I have given the instruction to immediately set up the security committee with authorities from all three levels of government and to activate the red code in order to prevent acts against the population.’  

People on social media have reported being stranded in Puerto Vallarta, where thick columns of smoke can be seen rising above the city. At least ten vehicles throughout the city were reported as having been set on fire. 

Fiery chaos has erupted throughout the Mexican state of Jalisco, leaving some tourists stranded. A bus set on fire by cartel members in the state is pictured

Columns of black smoke are pictured rising from Puerto Vallarta, a city popular with tourists. The chaos is thought to be in response to federal authorities killing a prominent cartel leader

A member of Mexico’a security forces is pictured standing watch next to a burning vehicle. At least ten such vehicles have reportedly been set on fire

Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes was killed by Mexican federal forces on Sunday, according to high-ranking officials who spoke with local publications

One user on Facebook wrote: ‘My daughter is there now at an Airbnb, I just talked with her and the whole town is on lockdown, she is safe as we speak but it’s a very scary situation.’

Another user wrote: ‘We are at Villa del Palmar in Puerto Vallarta and black smoke all around, no buses or taxis, flights cancelled, stores closed, not going anywhere. Was going to sit at beach but smoke smell was terrible and was told it could be toxic.’

Other people on Reddit said they were about to hop on a flight to the Pacific coastal city just before they heard the news. 

‘I was AT THE AIRPORT TERMINAL waiting to go there when we heard this was happening,’ said a user on Reddit. ‘[I’m] In the car going back home. All flights to PV (Puerto Vallarta) grounded indefinitely,’ the user wrote in a followup comment.  

Public transportation in Puerto Vallarta has been suspended, and hotels across the city are advising guests to remain indoors. Some businesses have temporarily closed.

The governor of the neighboring state of Michoacán, Alfredo Bedolla, has also reported that 13 municipalities in his jurisdiction are facing similar unrest. 

Residents of Tapalpa, where El Mencho was killed, reported aircraft flying over the town and military convoys in the hours leading up to the operation to eliminate the cartel leader. 

Official roadblocks were later reported in at least six states, including Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato and Aguascalientes. 

Videos circulating on social media show vehicles burning in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Tapalpa, which are all located in the state of Jalisco.