American tourists caught in Puerto Vallarta cartel violence amid chaos
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Several American tourists vacationing in Puerto Vallarta following the killing of major cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, told Fox News Digital they found themselves in the middle of an unexpectedly violent cartel retaliation.
Airlines canceled flights and authorities ordered shelter-in-place, stranded visitors reportedly had their cars set on fire, suspected cartel members blocked major roads, and stores were ransacked by looters; Some eyewitnesses said it felt like “a war was breaking out in the streets” in parts of the popular holiday city.
Witnesses said they had to vacate their rooms, make do with limited hotel food and even go out to find food as they waited for Mexican authorities to regain control of the city.
Eugene Marchenko, 37, of Charleston, South Carolina, who was staying at an Airbnb near the main road, told Fox News Digital he woke up to the sound of a horn and saw six cars completely engulfed in flames right outside his balcony. He and his wife, who had arrived in Mexico only the day before, were forced to evacuate for several hours, fearing that a burning fuel tanker nearby would explode.
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“I looked down and they were completely engulfed in flames,” Marchenko said. “In total there were six cars and a fuel tanker on fire.”
He said a neighbor watched video showing men he believed to be cartel members pulling people out of their vehicles, then dousing them with gasoline and setting the cars on fire.
“They told the people to leave,” Marchenko said. “Then they would take the gas, pour it into the car, and wait for everyone to drive away before setting the car on fire.”
Marchenko, who went out to find food in the afternoon, said he saw pharmacies and corner stores completely burned, and young crowds had entered nearby buildings to loot beer and cigarettes.
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The vehicles appear to be carrying multiple armed forces in Puerto Vallarta. (Fox News Digital)
Footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed a helicopter hovering over the building, circling as if searching for someone, as Mexican armed forces and armored vehicles moved through the streets below.
Marchenko said public transportation and Ubers have come to a complete halt, and he’s not sure how they’ll get to the airport even if flights restart.
Despite the chaos, Marchenko said no one panicked.
“There is absolutely no panic from almost anyone here,” he said. “I thought it was interesting, almost everyone was more annoyed than anything.”
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A cloud of smoke rises over Puerto Vallarta on February 22, 2026. (Fox News Digital)
Another visitor from Miami, Adriana Belli, 49, told Fox News Digital that she planned to stay in Mexico for more than a week to attend a wedding in Guadalajara and celebrate a friend’s birthday in Mexico City.
Belli stated that the sudden outbreak of violence was particularly shocking, and that he spoke with American tourists staying at the Marriott resort, who insisted that the area was extremely safe after visiting Puerto Vallarta for 24 years.
He added that guests heading to the airport were in isolation and making do with the limited food available.
“Most of the other tourists who took early morning flights were actually able to reach the airport, but they are currently locked in the airport and cannot leave,” he said. “From what we heard from other guests, they can survive on granola bars.”
On February 22, 2026, a fuel tanker was set on fire near a gas station in Puerto Vallarta. (Fox News Digital)
Another source staying at a separate property told Fox News Digital that restaurants and room service were closed. Guests were brought to the lobby for what was described as “the last part of the meal.”
He added that this was the first trip he and his wife were away from their 4-year-old son, and he had to call home to tell family members where to find their will.
“It was the first time we were separated from him. My wife said, ‘We will not leave him again,'” he said. “I had to call my mom today and tell her, ‘Look, here’s my will. We just created it. I don’t want you to panic, but I might need you to stay with my son for a few more days.'”
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He added that although the area appeared to be a war zone, he was optimistic that authorities would restore order in the coming days.
Mexico’s Defense Ministry said Sunday that Oseguera was killed in a military operation. The news reportedly triggered widespread unrest and uncertainty in many states as Mexican officials worked to stabilize the region.
