In a dramatic turn of events, 23 prisoners made a daring escape, and a security guard lost his life when armed assailants stormed a correctional facility in Puerto Vallarta, a popular resort destination in Mexico. This incident is part of a larger wave of cartel violence following the death of the infamous drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, better known as “El Mencho,” during a military operation.

The attackers initiated their assault by firing upon the prison and forcefully entering the Centro Integral de Justicia Regional. They dramatically breached the premises by ramming a vehicle through its gates, as confirmed by Mexican authorities.

The intrusion triggered chaos inside the prison, leading to a riot that severely hampered the security forces’ response to the jailbreak. Tragically, a guard was killed amidst the turmoil, according to reports from Vallarta Daily. Although reinforcements were summoned from neighboring areas, challenging road conditions delayed their arrival.

By the next day, a thorough headcount revealed that 23 inmates had managed to flee. Authorities have launched an intense manhunt to recapture the escapees.

Officials have reported that order has been reestablished, and the prison is back to operating under heightened security measures while investigations into the breach continue.

This prison escape adds to the grim tally of at least 73 fatalities across 20 of Mexico’s 32 states, a consequence of the widespread violence that erupted following the military’s successful operation against El Mencho, the powerful leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel.

The deaths include 25 members of the Mexican National Guard who were killed in six separate attacks.

Tourists in Puerto Vallarta — a popular Pacific beach getaway in Jalisco, the cartel’s stronghold — were warned to stay indoors as narco gangs went on a rampage, setting fires and marching through the streets with guns.

Some 10,000 Mexican soldiers have been deployed throughout the country in response.

The US State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho.

The Jalisco New Generation cartel, which began operating in 2009, is one of the most powerful and fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico.