San Antonian Returns Home After Mexico Lockdown

Flights resume in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta following cartel chaos.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A San Antonio woman was stuck in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for several days after the U.S. Embassy issued a shelter-in-place order due to violent Mexican cartel activity. Flights were grounded, and roads to the airport were closed, preventing her from returning home as scheduled. However, the Embassy has now lifted the order, allowing flights to resume and Americans to make their way back.

Why it matters

The lockdown in parts of Mexico stranded numerous American tourists, raising concerns about the safety of travel to certain regions of the country. This incident highlights the potential risks travelers face and the importance of monitoring government advisories when planning trips abroad.

The details

Blanca Abbud, a San Antonio resident, was visiting Puerto Vallarta when the lockdown occurred. She said that as they were trying to leave the resort, everything went into lockdown. The roads to the airport were closed, making it impossible for her to get there. However, the U.S. Embassy has now announced that the airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta are secure, and extra flights have been added to help Americans return home.

  • On Sunday, Blanca Abbud's flight home from Puerto Vallarta was originally scheduled.
  • On Monday, Abbud told reporters she was trying to get back home.
  • On Tuesday, Abbud was able to catch a flight and return to San Antonio.

The players

Blanca Abbud

A San Antonio resident who was visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when the lockdown occurred.

U.S. Embassy

Issued a shelter-in-place order due to violent Mexican cartel activity, and later lifted the order, allowing flights to resume in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

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What they’re saying

“As we were leaving, or trying to leave the resort, that's when everything started going on lockdown.”

— Blanca Abbud (foxsanantonio.com)

“We're trying to get, you know, back home. The only thing is that we're so far out away from the airport that we can't get to the airport; because the city is closed and the roads are closed, and there's only one road that takes you to the airport.”

— Blanca Abbud (foxsanantonio.com)

What’s next

The U.S. Embassy has stated that the airports in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta are now secure, and extra flights have been added to help Americans return home. Travelers should continue to monitor government advisories and plan accordingly when visiting Mexico.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks and disruptions that travelers may face when visiting regions with ongoing cartel violence and unrest. It highlights the importance of staying informed, being prepared for unexpected events, and closely following guidance from the U.S. government when planning international trips.