Resident Refuses to Abandon Puerto Vallarta Despite Cartel Violence

A New Yorker who splits time between the city and the Mexican resort town vows to stay and support his community.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 2:54pm

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Steven Polito, a 49-year-old drag performer from New York, has made Puerto Vallarta his winter home for years, drawn to the LGBTQ+-friendly community and vibrant arts scene. However, a recent outbreak of cartel violence has left his neighborhood scarred, with burned-out cars lining the streets. Despite the destruction, Polito says he has no plans to abandon the city, citing the strength and resilience of the local community.

Why it matters

The story highlights the difficult choices facing residents of communities impacted by cartel violence in Mexico, where the decision to stay or leave can have profound personal and economic consequences. Polito's commitment to his adopted home also speaks to the power of community bonds in the face of adversity.

The details

Polito was shocked to find his neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta transformed, with burned-out cars and a sense of unease after a local cartel leader was killed. One of his neighbors, an Uber driver with two young children, lost his primary source of income when his car was destroyed. Despite the damage, Polito saw people in the community coming together to clean up and support one another.

  • Polito went to the gym at 8:30 a.m. and was told the city was under attack by a cartel.
  • Polito left the gym around 10:00 a.m. and witnessed the aftermath of the violence.

The players

Steven Polito

A 49-year-old drag performer from New York who splits his time between the city and Puerto Vallarta.

Uber driver neighbor

A neighbor of Polito's who lost his car, which was his primary source of income, in the cartel-related violence.

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What they’re saying

“I could go back to New York City, but we have to think in a less cavalier way. People who live here don't have the luxury of getting up and going.”

— Steven Polito (Business Insider)

“During COVID, I stayed in Puerto Vallarta the entire time instead of going back to the States. We all thought it was going to just crumble around us. But somehow, everyone found their way and part of that was through the community.”

— Steven Polito (Business Insider)

The takeaway

Polito's decision to remain in Puerto Vallarta despite the cartel violence demonstrates the power of community bonds and the resilience of residents who refuse to abandon their homes in the face of adversity. His story highlights the difficult choices facing those caught in the crosshairs of cartel conflicts in Mexico.