Violence Erupts in Puerto Vallarta After Cartel Leader Killed, Impacting Denver Travelers

Some missed flights, while others remain stuck in Mexico amid the unrest.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Violence erupted in parts of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Sunday after a military operation resulted in the killing of a Mexican cartel leader. The unrest has impacted Denver-area travelers, with some missing flights and others remaining stuck in the city until further notice. Locals described the situation as tense, with smoke, explosions, and a general lack of activity in the typically bustling tourist destination.

Why it matters

The violence in Puerto Vallarta highlights the ongoing challenges Mexico faces with cartel activity and the potential impact on travelers. This incident disrupted vacation plans for Denver residents and raised concerns about safety in the popular tourist destination.

The details

Videos circulating online showed dark plumes of smoke around Puerto Vallarta, and local resident Darin Dean said the usually lively city had gone quiet, with no car movement or even birds chirping. Dean, who has a family home in the area, said he felt safe staying indoors but was unsure of what to expect if he ventured out. Meanwhile, sisters Becky and Jessica Paulsen were forced to deplane in Denver on their way to a company trip in Punta Mita, as their flight to Puerto Vallarta was canceled due to the security issues.

  • The violence erupted in Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • Dean flew into Mexico on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 to visit his sick father.
  • Dean and his family had a scheduled flight out of Puerto Vallarta on Sunday, February 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM.

The players

Darin Dean

A Lakewood, Colorado resident who has a family home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Becky Paulsen

A Denver resident who was on her way to a company-sponsored trip in Punta Mita, Mexico when her flight was forced to deplane in Denver due to the security issues in Puerto Vallarta.

Jessica Paulsen

Becky Paulsen's sister, who was also on the flight to Punta Mita that was forced to deplane in Denver.

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What they’re saying

“Everything went quiet. The birds even quit chirping. There's no car movement, nothing.”

— Darin Dean (9news.com)

“We're thankful we're not there. Stuck there in what seems like a firefight and just like a city not in a good state. We feel safe, but sucks to lose a vacation.”

— Jessica Paulsen (9news.com)

What’s next

Dean said he doesn't know when he'll be able to return to Colorado, but he plans to continue visiting Puerto Vallarta in the future. The Paulsens are unsure if they will be able to reschedule their company trip to Punta Mita.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in parts of Mexico and the potential impact on travelers, even in popular tourist destinations. It serves as a reminder for travelers to stay vigilant and monitor local conditions when planning trips to certain regions of Mexico.