When Canadian resident Jeffrey Dale booked his vacation to Mexico, he anticipated sunny weather, palm trees, and leisurely days on the beach. Instead, he found himself in a situation of fear and uncertainty when violence erupted over the weekend following the killing of a notorious cartel leader by authorities. Dale, who was in Puerto Vallarta, described the scene as terrifying, with smoke billowing over the city, criminal blockades cutting off access for locals and tourists alike.
In an interview, Dale expressed his shock at witnessing chaos in a place he once considered safe. "I was out walking, and what I saw was something that I never thought I would expect to see in a place that so many people [have] found to be quite safe," he said. He noted that the romantic zone of the city was completely blocked off due to burning cars in the streets, a stark contrast to his expectations for a relaxing getaway.
The violence was triggered by the capture and killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on February 22, 2026. El Mencho was at the helm of one of the fastest-growing criminal organizations in North America, notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States, as well as orchestrating violent attacks against Mexican government officials. His death led to widespread unrest in Jalisco state, characterized by firefights and unrest.
In response to the escalating violence, Canadian airlines including WestJet, Air Canada, Flair, and Porter promptly canceled or rerouted flights to Puerto Vallarta. Concurrently, Global Affairs Canada issued a travel advisory urging Canadians in the area to "exercise a high degree of caution" and to "avoid non-essential travel." The federal government is carefully monitoring the situation, noting that over 26,000 Canadians have registered with the agency while in Mexico.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, multiple consular officials have been deployed to major centers in the area and are prepared to assist Canadian citizens. "I ask that all Canadians follow local guidelines, including sheltering in place, if that is what local guidelines are dictating," she advised.
In the midst of this turmoil, Jeffrey Dale reported that local businesses were closed and staff at his hostel faced challenges due to the road blockades. Dale is scheduled to return to Canada on Wednesday and has been informed by his airline that his flight remains on time. He has provided his information to the Government of Canada via the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. "I will take it from there and see what can be done," he stated. While concerned, Dale noted that he felt secure within the hostel and praised the kindness of the local people. "I heard from people that were at the airport on Sunday, and they were quite terrified," he added.
With files from the Associated Press and Canadian Press.
