American tourists found themselves caught in a scene of chaos and destruction in Mexico, as violence erupted in a once-idyllic resort town following the death of El Mencho, the leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The picturesque backdrop of Puerto Vallarta was marred by turmoil, painting a stark contrast to its usual charm.

As the chaos unfolded, U.S. travelers recounted their harrowing escape from the popular vacation spot. They drove past smoldering buses and ransacked shops, bearing witness to the aftermath of the violence that swept through the region.

Images shared with The Post depict the aftermath in chilling detail: buses reduced to skeletal remains, their metal frames littering the streets, and convenience stores such as OXXO, the largest chain in Latin America, left in shambles amid the widespread unrest that erupted on Sunday.

Scott Posilkin, a resident of Colorado, experienced the destruction firsthand as he made his way to the airport on Tuesday morning. “The ride in was quiet, but we saw quite a bit of damage,” he recounted, describing the unsettling journey.

Despite the chaos, Posilkin noted the resilience and kindness of the locals. “We are at the gate to try and get home, and the airport is crowded but orderly. The locals went above and beyond to help us,” he added, highlighting the community’s efforts to assist those caught in the turmoil.

“We are at the gate to try and get home and the airport is crowded but orderly. The locals went above and beyond to help us.”

Tourists in the Pacific Beach getaway in Jalisco – the cartel’s stronghold – were warned Sunday to stay indoors as narco gangs rampaged the streets after drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful boss of the violent crime outfit, was killed in a military raid.

His death prompted cartel henchmen to wreak havoc across the streets, blocking highways, igniting vehicles, torching businesses, and marching with guns in a brazen act of revenge. 

“It looked like the whole city was on fire,” Posilkin told The Post when the chaos erupted.

“There were explosions. There was tons of smoke.”

The US State Department urged Americans to shelter in place amid the wave of retaliation, which has left at least 73 dead, including 25 members of the National Guard who were killed in six separate attacks. 

The violent unrest led to major American and Canadian airlines canceling flights in and out of the Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara airports, though some flights started to resume on Tuesday. 

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

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

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