Bay Area Travelers Stranded in Puerto Vallarta After Cartel Violence

Flights canceled due to retaliatory attacks following the killing of a cartel leader by Mexican military forces.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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All flights between the San Francisco Bay Area and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico were canceled on Sunday after a wave of cartel-related violence erupted in the popular tourist destination. Dozens of Bay Area residents were left stranded as roads were blocked, vehicles were set on fire, and the airport was shut down. The violence was in retaliation for the killing of a powerful cartel leader by Mexican military forces over the weekend.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in parts of Mexico and the potential risks for American tourists traveling there. The disruption to travel plans and the need for travelers to shelter in place underscore the unpredictable nature of cartel violence and its impact on the local economy and visitor experience.

The details

According to local authorities, plumes of dark smoke and burning vehicles were seen across Puerto Vallarta as cartel members blocked roads and set fires. The violence was in retaliation for the killing of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, a powerful cartel leader, by the Mexican military. Caught in the middle were dozens of American tourists, including Bay Area resident Lefty Karkazis, who had planned to return home on Sunday. Their United Airlines flights were canceled, leaving them stranded at their hotel.

  • On Sunday, February 23, 2026, all flights between the San Francisco Bay Area and Puerto Vallarta were canceled.
  • The violence erupted on Sunday morning, local time, around 10 a.m.

The players

Lefty Karkazis

A Bay Area resident who was stranded in Puerto Vallarta after his flight was canceled due to the cartel violence.

Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes

A powerful cartel leader who was killed by the Mexican military, sparking the retaliatory attacks.

United Airlines

The airline that had to cancel flights between the San Francisco Bay Area and Puerto Vallarta due to the unrest.

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What they’re saying

“We were supposed to fly out of here at 2 p.m. So local time, at approximately 10 o'clock, we came downstairs, trying to get a taxi to go to the airport. And [the hotel staff] told us that nothing is moving, all the roads are blocked because there's apparently a cartel operation that is affecting all the flights in and out.”

— Lefty Karkazis (CBS News)

“This was one of the most significant actions undertaken in the history of drug trafficking because we're talking about someone that is almost at the same level as "El Chapo" Guzmán and "El Mayo" Zambada. He's one of the biggest drug capos in the history of drug trafficking around the globe.”

— Mike Vigil, Former DEA Chief of International Operations (CBS News)

What’s next

Airport officials in Puerto Vallarta said Sunday afternoon that the airport is currently under the protection of the Mexican military. It remains unclear when flights will resume.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in parts of Mexico and the potential risks for American tourists traveling there. While Puerto Vallarta is generally considered a safe destination, the unpredictable nature of cartel violence can disrupt travel plans and force visitors to shelter in place, highlighting the need for vigilance and flexibility when visiting certain regions of Mexico.