Clarkston Residents Safe After Cartel Violence in Puerto Vallarta

Vacationers shelter in place as Mexican special forces raid cartel hideout, leading to deadly shootout and reprisal attacks.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A group of Clarkston, Washington residents, including a retired police chief, an attorney, and a funeral home owner, were caught in the middle of cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this week. After Mexican special forces raided a cartel hideout, leading to the death of a notorious drug lord, the cartel responded by setting fires, blocking roads, and looting stores. The Clarkston vacationers sheltered in place but have since reported that they are safe and the situation has calmed down.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of cartel violence in Mexico, which can disrupt tourist destinations and put innocent travelers at risk. It also underscores the need for heightened security measures and coordination between Mexican authorities and the tourism industry to protect visitors.

The details

On Sunday, Mexican special forces raided a cartel hideout in Puerto Vallarta, leading to a shootout in which the notorious drug lord 'El Mencho' was wounded and later died. In retaliation, the cartel set fire to cars and buses to block roads, and looted and burned numerous Oxxo convenience stores. While citizens and tourists were generally not directly attacked, some drivers were pulled from their vehicles and pushed aside.

  • On Sunday, Mexican special forces raided a cartel hideout in Puerto Vallarta.
  • On Tuesday, the Clarkston residents reported that they and their loved ones are safe, and things have calmed down.

The players

Joel and Michelle Hastings

A retired police chief and well-known Clarkston attorney who were vacationing in Puerto Vallarta with their family.

Dennis Hastings

A Lewiston funeral home owner who was also part of the Hastings family vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

Tom and Carlyn Ledgerwood

Clarkston residents who were also vacationing in Puerto Vallarta with friends John Rusche and Helen LeBouef.

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes ("El Mencho")

The most wanted drug lord in Mexico, who was killed in the shootout with Mexican special forces.

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What they’re saying

“We moved from a hotel to a condo complex on the water, just south of town. We awoke Sunday morning to dark smoke over the town, and we learned that Mexican special forces had raided a cartel hideout.”

— Tom Ledgerwood (Lewiston Tribune)

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of cartel violence in popular tourist destinations in Mexico, and the need for heightened security measures and coordination between authorities and the tourism industry to protect visitors.