Smoke billows from burning vehicles, vehicles are torched and armed groups block highways in more than six states amid a wave of violence. This screenshot taken from a social media video follows a military operation in which government officials say Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” was killed in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state, Mexico, on February 22, 2026.
Stringer | Reuters
U.S. and Canadian airlines have suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara in Mexico after the killing of a cartel leader by Mexican troops sparked violence in the country.
The US State Department on Sunday directed US citizens to shelter in place due to “ongoing security operations and related road closures and criminal activity.”
air canada, american airlines, delta airlines, southwest airlines, united airlines has canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and Guadalajara, also in Jalisco state. The airline has waived change fees for affected travelers.
Several Mexican states also closed schools on Monday after the country’s military killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. Known as “El Mencho,” he heads one of Mexico’s fastest-growing criminal networks and is notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and launching brazen attacks on government officials who challenge him, the Associated Press reported.
He was killed in a gunfight in his home state of Jalisco, according to the Associated Press.
