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Manitobans vacationing in Puerto Vallarta are being told to remain at their resorts after cartel-related violence prompted roadblocks, fires, and a temporary shutdown of flights at the popular tourist destination.
The state government of Jalisco says federal forces conducted an operation in the municipality of Tapalpa that led to clashes. In response, blockades involving burning vehicles were reported in several areas of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, municipalities in the interior of the state, and in Puerto Vallarta.
The state government says the blockades were intended to obstruct authorities. Public transportation has been temporarily suspended in some areas as a preventive measure, and hotels in Puerto Vallarta have been advised to tell guests to remain on their premises until further notice.
Unconfirmed reports suggest a local cartel leader may have been killed or captured during the federal operation, potentially triggering the unrest. Authorities have not confirmed those details.
Manitobans describe smoke, uncertainty
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A Winnipeg woman, who did not wish to be identified, said that she saw smoke rising earlier in the day from the Malecon area.
“We saw smoke this morning. We thought it was getting into a cloudy day and we saw smoke coming from the Malecon area,” she said in an email interview.
She said guests at her resort were told to remain on site.
“They are telling people to stay put in the resorts. They’re not advising anybody to go to the airport right now. So they reduced the rates for everybody to stay in a hotel,” she said.
While she described the atmosphere inside the resort as mostly calm, she said there were visible signs of concern among staff.
Another Winnipeg woman, who also asked not to be identified, said she and her family are safe, but described the situation as frightening.
Ken and Kim Kunz, who are also vacationing in the area, shared photos showing smoke in the distance from their beach.
“These are pictures from our beach. They’re quite a ways away, but you can see the area downtown, the Melcon, where they’ve struck down there,” they wrote, adding that there appeared to be a military presence near the marina.
“They have some presence of their military going around there, sort of protecting that area, I guess, as well.”
The couple said they had heard unconfirmed reports that a local Costco may have been burned and questioned the authenticity of an image circulating online showing an airplane at the airport.
“I was told that the Costco here might’ve been burnt down, and I have a picture of an airplane at the airport, but that might be an AI so I’m not sure on that.”
Despite the uncertainty, they said they plan to remain at their resort.
“We’ll just stay and we’re gonna enjoy the sun a little bit longer. I guess we were supposed to come back today but it’s gonna hold out for a while and enjoy the sun work on my tan a little bit more.”
Meanwhile, Coralee Kominko-Crowe and her family are vacationing in Nuevo Vallarta, north of Puerto Vallarta.
She said they were unaware of any issues until a friend in Winnipeg reached out.
“When she asked if I was safe, I did a quick Google search,” Kominko-Crowe said.
She said they have not received instructions from the resort or local authorities and described conditions there as normal.
“It seems to be ‘business as usual’ at the resort and we hope it stays that way until we leave on Thursday.”
Federal advisory and flight disruptions
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Global Affairs Canada has issued an advisory warning of violence and roadblocks in Jalisco State, including in Puerto Vallarta.
The advisory says criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities, and there have been shootouts with security forces and explosions. A shelter-in-place order is in effect in Puerto Vallarta, and taxi and rideshare services have been suspended until further notice.
Canadians in the area are advised to “keep a low profile, monitor media reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place.”
Air Canada posted on X that it has temporarily suspended operations to Puerto Vallarta due to the security situation affecting the airport. The airline says it is monitoring developments and is in contact with local authorities.
Due to an ongoing security situation in Puerto Vallarta impacting the @VallartaAirport, Air Canada has temporarily suspended operations there today. We are monitoring the situation and in contact with local authorities who are working to resolve the issue. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/BqV0hGIL4l
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) February 22, 2026
WestJet had not posted a public advisory as of 1 p.m. Sunday, but all of the airline’s flights into and out of Puerto Vallarta were cancelled for the day.
Puerto Vallarta is a popular winter destination for Manitobans, particularly during the peak travel season in February.
Authorities in Jalisco say the situation remains under active response.
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With files from Colleen Houde
