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Photos by Zack De La Cerda
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a dynamic and changing situation. Please check official sources for the most up-to-date information. FB page for Puerto Vallarta Government is here. This is a very serious situation and residents are urged to stay in their homes.
Code Red Declared After Fires Reported Throughout Puerto Vallarta
Residents advised to remain indoors while federal and state forces respond to incidents across the city.
Vehicle and business fires broke out across multiple neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta on Sunday morning, prompting authorities to activate a Code Red security alert and urge residents to remain indoors as violence spread through parts of western Mexico.
CURRENT STATUS OF JALISCO AIRPORTS
Guadalajara, Jalisco, February 22, 2026 – Following the events that occurred in various parts of the state of Jalisco, Grupo Aeropuerto del Pacífico (GAP) informs the airport community and the general public:
The Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) is operating normally today, Sunday, February 22, 2026, with no cancellations or disruptions to its flight operations. The situations that occurred in various areas of the state do not impact the internal operations of the airport terminal or security within the facilities.
The airport terminal is under the protection of members of the National Guard (GN) and the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), as part of ongoing coordination with federal authorities.
It is important to note that no incidents have been reported within the facilities, and there is no risk to passengers, employees, or visitors. The information and material circulating on social media does not reflect any actual risks within the terminals, but rather a sense of panic among passengers, which has generated perceptions that do not reflect the true situation at the airports.
We urge passengers and users to remain calm and follow the instructions of airport staff at all times.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico recommends that passengers at Guadalajara Airport stay in contact with their airlines to stay informed of any changes to their itineraries.
Many visitors flying in are affected as multiple airlines have canceled flights.
The Municipal Government of Puerto Vallarta announced that face-to-face classes at all educational levels will be suspended on Monday, February 23 in the municipality.
Fires were reported in Zona Romántica, Centro, Ixtapa, Versalles, Remance, Paso Ancho and areas surrounding El Pitillal. Authorities also confirmed road blockages in parts of the city. No civilian casualties had been formally reported as of Sunday afternoon.
Federal officials said the unrest is linked to reports that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed earlier Sunday. The circumstances surrounding his reported death were not immediately detailed.
The violence was not limited to Puerto Vallarta. Authorities reported similar incidents in other parts of Jalisco state, including Guadalajara and Chapala, as well as in Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León.
The U.S. government issued a security alert advising American citizens in Jalisco — including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara — as well as in Tamaulipas, including Reynosa and other municipalities, and parts of Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo León, to shelter in place until further notice due to ongoing security operations, road blockages and criminal activity.
The advisory urged U.S. citizens to avoid areas of law enforcement activity, remain aware of their surroundings, avoid crowds, and minimize unnecessary movement. It also recommended monitoring local media for updates, following the directions of local authorities and calling 911 in case of emergency. Americans were encouraged to keep family and friends informed of their location and well-being by phone, text or social media.
Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisory for the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta and other parts of the Mexican state of Jalisco following a sudden explosion of violence that has seen road blockades with burning vehicles and clashes between federal authorities and armed groups.
The advisory says there is a “shelter in place order” in Puerto Vallarta and that “all taxi and rideshare services” are suspended. It advises all Canadians in Jalisco to keep a low profile, monitor media and follow the orders of local authorities.
Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro posted a statement on social media platform X saying that the violence was triggered by a federal operation that unfolded earlier in the day that targeted the municipality of Tapalpa, which sits roughly 300 kilometres southeast of Puerto Vallarta.
The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus, announced the activation of “Código Rojo,” or Code Red, a coordinated security response involving federal, state and municipal forces aimed at preventing further violence.
At Puerto Vallarta International Airport, multiple flight cancellations were reported. Security protocols were activated inside the terminal as authorities sought to stabilize the situation.
Officials continued to urge residents to remain indoors as emergency crews responded to fires across the region.
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