Cartel Violence Strands Thousands of Canadian Tourists in Mexico
Thousands of Canadian tourists remain stranded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after a wave of cartel violence and widespread fires prompted Canadian airlines to suspend flights and authorities to issue shelter-in-place orders. The unrest erupted following the killing of notorious drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Flight Suspensions and Government Warnings
Canadian airlines halted all flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta on Sunday and Monday as the situation escalated. The federal government issued urgent warnings to Canadians in Mexico, advising them to shelter in place and follow local authority instructions. By Monday, more than 26,000 Canadians had registered their presence in Mexico with Global Affairs Canada, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has been in contact with her Mexican counterpart, who indicated that the situation is expected to "normalize" in the coming days. Anand stated she is closely monitoring what she described as a "serious and rapidly evolving situation in Mexico."
On-the-Ground Accounts from Stranded Tourists
Tourists and residents in Puerto Vallarta reported chaotic scenes as violence flared. Deb Kehoe of Ottawa, vacationing with her husband in the Versalles neighbourhood, described witnessing heavy black smoke rising from multiple locations across the city on Sunday. "We saw fires starting all around us, except along the beach resorts," Kehoe said. "We heard sounds like gunshots, though it might have been cars exploding."
Sean Wiltshire from St. John's, Newfoundland, was on day three of his vacation when the violence broke out. From his condo in Zona Romantica, he observed smoke rising and armed men on motorcycles. "On Monday, we waited over two hours in line for eggs and tortillas near a firebombed store," Wiltshire recounted, noting several convenience stores and a pharmacy had been destroyed in his area.
Local Perspectives and Misinformation Concerns
Marie-Eve St-Arnaud, a Quebecer who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for four years, acknowledged Sunday was "quite chaotic" but emphasized that the cartel's actions appeared targeted at sending a message to the government rather than harming tourists or the general public. "I have always felt safe here, and that won't change now," St-Arnaud said from her home in the Palmar de Armara neighbourhood.
St-Arnaud also expressed frustration with misinformation circulating online, including fake photographs of an airplane on fire at the airport. She took to a Facebook group for Quebecers in Puerto Vallarta to offer reassurance and even assistance with groceries for those nearby.
Political Calls for Enhanced Emergency Response
In Ottawa, Bloc Québécois International Affairs critic Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe called for Canada to implement a more robust emergency plan. "We are talking about a cartel with approximately 29,000 armed members, which is certainly worrisome," Brunelle-Duceppe stated. "We need to reassure people by putting concrete measures in place."
As the situation continues to develop, Canadian tourists in Mexico are advised to stay informed through official channels and adhere to safety protocols while awaiting further updates on travel resumption and normalization of conditions in the affected regions.
