Chicago Couple Stranded in Mexico Amid Cartel Violence

Couple from Andersonville neighborhood caught in unrest after cartel leader's killing.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Chicago couple, Pierce and her fiancé Billie Cavallero, found themselves stranded in Guadalajara, Mexico amid violent unrest following the killing of a notorious cartel leader. The couple arrived in Guadalajara just a day before the chaos erupted, with the Mexican military and cartels engaging in clashes that left over 250 roadblocks set up across several states. The couple is now struggling to find clear guidance on when and how to safely return home, as they navigate the spread of misinformation online.

Why it matters

The violent unrest in Mexico following the killing of a powerful cartel leader has left many American tourists, including those from the Chicago area, stranded and facing uncertainty about their safety and ability to return home. This incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by travelers when political and criminal violence flares up unexpectedly in vacation destinations.

The details

After Mexican special forces killed the cartel leader known as "El Mencho" on Sunday, it set off a day of violence, with the cartel responding by burning buses, cars, and gas stations in several states. More than 250 roadblocks were set up, causing chaos at the Guadalajara airport as travelers scrambled for safety. The Chicago couple, Pierce and Billie Cavallero, found themselves caught in the middle, unsure of when and how they can safely return home.

  • On Sunday, panic broke out at the Guadalajara airport as travelers scrambled for safety.
  • On Monday, the Mexican Navy arrived in Puerto Vallarta, one of the cities violently targeted by the cartel.

The players

Pierce

A Chicago resident from the Andersonville neighborhood who was stranded in Guadalajara, Mexico with her fiancé during the violent unrest.

Billie Cavallero

Pierce's fiancé, also from the Andersonville neighborhood in Chicago, who was stranded with her in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Reyna Torres

The Consul General of Mexico in Chicago, who applauded the military operation but warned of misinformation being spread online by cartels.

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What they’re saying

“We just want to get home. yeah. And like, we're not quite sure what's safe.”

— Tonya Pierce (CBS News)

“The information is just so all over the place that we want to make the smartest, safest choice to leave, but we don't know what that is.”

— Billie Cavallero (CBS News)

“These organizations want to create fear and confusion and chaos. A lot of nonsense information has been flowing on social media, so please go to the official sources of information.”

— Reyna Torres, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago (CBS News)

What’s next

The U.S. embassy is still encouraging Americans in impacted areas to shelter in place, and the couple is waiting for clear guidance on when and how they can safely return to Chicago.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the risks that travelers face when visiting destinations with political and criminal instability, and the importance of closely monitoring official sources of information and heeding safety warnings from local authorities and diplomatic missions.