US tourists stranded after Mexico's most wanted drug lord killed in military operation
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images
Some US tourists have been left stranded in Mexico after Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known more commonly as 'El Mencho', was killed.
Mexico's most wanted drug lord was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel and was killed on Sunday (February 22) during a security operation to detain him.
El Mencho was left seriously injured after clash between his supporters and the army, and later died as he was being transported to the capital Mexico City.
Four CJNG members were also killed, while three members of the army were left injured after clashes in Mexico. Following the drug cartel leader's death, CJNG set cars alight, built roadblocks and attacked security forces across eight Mexican states.
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Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the President of Mexico, said in a statement published on X: "The Secretariat of National Defense reported on the operation carried out this morning by federal forces, which resulted in various blockades and other reactions.
"There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm.
"The social media accounts of the Security Cabinet provide permanent updates. In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality."
The statement continued: "My recognition to the Mexican Army, National Guard, Armed Forces, and Security Cabinet. We work every day for peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico."
As well as the road blockages, some flights leaving the country have also been canceled, causing some tourists, including Americans, to be stranded.
Adryan Moorefield, from Dallas, has been holidaying in Puerto Vallarta and was due to fly back home on Sunday but is now trapped due to the violence that has occurred in the resort city.
"It was such a complete shocker, and it almost felt like being in the twilight zone," he told CNN. "We’ve been to PV before and thought that this would be a no brainer place to come and do a quick, easy beach vacation.”
Fellow American tourist Jim Beck has also been in Puerto Vallarta and was shocked to find 'taxi cabs blown up all over town' when he woke up for breakfast on Sunday morning.
Beck told CNN: "Then immediately, everyone was running down the street, screaming and yelling, and they told everyone to get back to their hotels."
Another tourist, who goes by the name of Mari, is also stranded in her hotel amid the unrest.
"We have two little kids, and it’s really scary," she told CNN. "The entire bay was just covered in fire. For hours, there was just a billow of smoke, hovering. You could not see anything across."