Spencer, IA man returns home after being stranded in Mexico by cartel violence

T.J. Johnson was stuck in Puerto Vallarta for days amid deadly clashes between authorities and drug cartels.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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T.J. Johnson, a resident of Spencer, Iowa, is set to return home on Wednesday night after being stranded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for several days due to violent clashes between authorities and drug cartels. Johnson was originally scheduled to fly back to the U.S. on Sunday, but travel became nearly impossible as the situation in the city deteriorated following the killing of a Mexican drug cartel leader.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks and challenges that American travelers can face when caught in the crossfire of cartel violence while visiting Mexico. It also underscores the importance of travel safety and the need for coordination between U.S. and Mexican authorities to ensure the protection of foreign nationals.

The details

Johnson described the scene in Puerto Vallarta as returning to normal by the time he was able to depart, with airport operations back at full capacity. However, he faced difficulties booking a new flight home due to the confusion surrounding the unprecedented situation. Johnson credits the help of local and national leaders for bringing attention to his situation and assisting him in securing a flight to Minneapolis on Wednesday.

  • Johnson was originally scheduled to fly back to the U.S. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The violence in Puerto Vallarta erupted following the killing of a Mexican drug cartel leader a few days prior to Johnson's scheduled departure.
  • Johnson was able to depart Puerto Vallarta and return to the U.S. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

T.J. Johnson

A resident of Spencer, Iowa who was stranded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico due to the cartel violence.

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What they’re saying

“We were told to cancel our tickets, get a new set of tickets so we would have something going forward, but then we were told we were moved off of the priority list because we had done that. So I fought like hell to get us on today's flight because Sunday was what we were looking at.”

— T.J. Johnson (KTIV)

What’s next

Johnson is expected to arrive safely in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening after his ordeal in Mexico.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for American travelers to exercise caution and stay vigilant when visiting areas of Mexico affected by cartel violence, and to maintain close communication with local and U.S. authorities in the event of an emergency.