Possible American Hostages - CJNG Cartel - Mexico

News & Current Events
1

“ Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) stormed Guadalajara International Airport on Sunday in apparent retaliation for the death of their notorious leader, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.

The attack has led to widespread panic, with videos showing passengers and airport staff fleeing for cover amid reports of gunfire and armed confrontations.

The violence comes just hours after Mexican authorities confirmed El Mencho’s elimination in a targeted operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, reportedly conducted with U.S. assistance.

Chaos reported at Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco after suspected CJNG cartel attacks outside and possibly inside the airport, allegedly in retaliation to reports of leader El Mencho’s elimination, triggering heavy security response. https://t.co/8VQQVyvFFo[pic.twitter.com/7Dl8OVMX44](https://t.co/7Dl8OVMX44)

— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) February 22, 2026

Guadalajara is one of Mexico’s busiest airports.

Eyewitness videos captured scenes of terror.

One clip, shared by investigative journalist Laura Loomer on X, shows airport workers in high-visibility vests and passengers running from what appears to be an underground or tarmac area.

“After the US eliminated a top Cartel leader in Mexico today, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has retaliated by storming the Guadalajara Airport with armed gunmen. They are now taking American tourists hostage at nearby highways and hotels,” Loomer wrote.

WATCH:

BREAKING:

After the US eliminated a top Cartel leader in Mexico today, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has retaliated by storming the Guadalajara Airport with armed gunmen. They are now taking American tourists hostage at nearby highways and hotels. pic.twitter.com/bKwfhpcalt

— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) February 22, 2026

Breaking shots fired in the Guadalajara International Airport: Videos show employees sprinting for cover as reports spread of armed men inside the terminal. #mexico#war pic.twitter.com/oqzLycSCvd

— Donald_Nncim (@Nncim15) February 22, 2026

Additional footage from the scene, including videos of people sprinting across the tarmac and seeking shelter, has flooded social media.

A post from OSINTdefender describes the attacks as occurring both outside and potentially inside the terminal, with heavy security responses underway.

WATCH:

Chaos erupts at Guadalajara International Airport in Jalisco, Mexico, as the CJNG Cartel launches attacks outside and potentially inside the airport, as retaliation for today’s successful elimination of CJNG leader El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/fspjMASWV1

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 22, 2026

JUST IN: :mexico: CJNG cartel has reportedly stormed the Guadalajara Airport in Mexico after the Mexican army killed its leader El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/kAVA1ZUV3v

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) February 22, 2026

Smoke rises from CJNG Cartel attacks and checkpoints across Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican state of Jalisco, following the elimination today of CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known more commonly as El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/F4BnaCqh6t

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 22, 2026

BREAKING:

:mexico: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco region in Mexico looks like it’s in a civil war

Violent scenes from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco region, Mexico, after CJNG launch retaliatory attacks following the elimination of their leader El Mencho. pic.twitter.com/Wol3s4gOma

— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) February 22, 2026

The Jalisco state government has activated a “Código Rojo” (Red Code) alert, signaling a maximum security threat.

Reports indicate there are burned vehicles blocking roads, as well as attacks on pharmacies, convenience stores, and government buildings in Guadalajara’s metropolitan area.

In Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination, explosions and smoke have been reported, with the cartel allegedly maintaining control over key hotel areas.

El Mencho was one of the world’s most wanted drug lords with a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The cartel, known for its paramilitary tactics including drone strikes and RPGs, has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. under the Kingpin Act.

This status allows American forces to treat CJNG members as combatants rather than criminals.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a security alert for Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara), Tamaulipas State (including Reynosa and other municipalities), areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State regarding ongoing operations and violence.

“Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice,” the alert stated.

The alert urges Americans in the affected areas to:

  • Avoid areas around law enforcement activity.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements
  • Monitor local media for updates.
  • Follow the directions of local authorities and in case of emergency, call 911.
  • Avoid crowds.
  • Keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text, and social media.

This is a developing story. The Gateway Pundit will continue monitoring the situation as more details emerge
“

8 Likes
2

“ A major Mexican resort town was under siege on Sunday and an airport was reportedly attacked after the leader of the brutal Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed by the army on Sunday.

Tourists in Puerto Vallarta were warned to stay indoors as narco gangs lashed out following the death of drug kingpin Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful boss of the violent crime outfit.

bus-set-fire-organised-crime-121998128
bus-set-fire-organised-crime-1219981281536×1024 217 KB

A bus seem engulfed in flames on one of the main avenues in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026.

The US State Department urged Americans to shelter in place.

“Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area,” Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said on X. “Also as a result of said operation in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of authorities.”

The chaos has hotels in the Pacific Ocean vacation spot of Puerto Vallarta holed up inside their hotels as cars and barricades burn in the streets.

There was also a gunfire at Guadalajara International Airport, news outlet Guardia Nocturna reported.
One video posted online showed travelers fleeing the terminal.

Smoke could be seen rising from the streets in both places where the cartel burned vehicles and set up roadblocks.

Authorities have called in backup from federal forces to combat the violent.

Oseguera Cervantes, a sixth-grade dropout, became one of Mexico’s most feared cartel bosses following the arrest and conviction of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman by US authorities.

reward-poster-nemesio-rub-n-121999483
reward-poster-nemesio-rub-n-121999483994×1328 90.9 KB

Oseguera Cervantes, 53, was killed in Tapalpa in Jalisco during a raid by Mexican forces, Spanish-language news outlet Milenio reported Sunday.

Following his death, cartel gunmen launched assaults in Jalisco, Michoacan, Tamaulipas, Colima, Guanajuato and Aguescalientes, as well as Veracruz, the local outlets said.
“

6 Likes
3

Hmmm, kind of reinforces my philosophy of not going anywhere I can’t defend myself these days. Kind of a macabre humor having the “shelter in place” caption below a burning building.

9 Likes
4

Agreed!

I had left out the actual photo caption, but just updated it.

5 Likes
5

I gather these cartels do not believe in environmentalism, just like our Leftists here in the states. :rofl:

7 Likes
6

Why would anyone go to a :poop: hole like mexico. Hope those going there had an idea this could happen. No sympathy whatsoever.

5 Likes
7

Yes, Puerto Vallarta is in a Department of State Red zone (circled in Red) that states Reconsider Travel. Just North of that is a Yellow zone that means take precautions.

image
image755×691 102 KB

5 Likes
8

I’ve ranked Mexico destinations as being equivalent to Iraq as far as danger, for about the last 15 years anyway. It baffles me that the average US citizen couldn’t comprehend this.

7 Likes
9

Just plain common sense.

6 Likes
10

I would say that there is several thousands of Americans held Hostage

if you have to ‘‘shelter in place’’ to stay alive ‘‘your a Hostage.

7 Likes
11

This incident reminds me of another involving American missionaries.

On May 27, 2001, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams were taken captive by a militant group of Muslims called the Abu Sayyaf Group. In addition to the Burnhams, the group seized several more guests and took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold.

I believe the ASG is pretty much history, if you know what I mean.

4 Likes
12

shrug I can only speak to my own personal experience, but from 2010 - 2025, my wife and I have vacationed on the Gulf of America side of Mexico, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Cancun area multiple times. Never a time we felt in danger and were never in “harms way”. However. We are always mindful of our surroundings and stay at higher rated resorts. While on vacation we do not venture off the beaten path and go places you shouldn’t be. Common sense

Same could be said about cities in the USA, there are streets, areas in major metro cities you wouldn’t want to be out past dusk for fear of your life. Hell, there are streets here in Las Vegas you don’t want to be caught walking down at certain times of the day.

3 Likes
13

I had this lengthy conversation with an old guy who visits relatives on a regular basis. That’s exactly what he advised me when I asked how safe it would be if I were a tourist.

4 Likes
14

When we were discussing our honeymoon, my wife suggested Cancun. As I had never vacationed outside of the US prior, I had reservations and concerns. She said to me “The cartels send their families to resorts in Cancun for vacation, no place safer to enjoy yourself.” It made sense, even cartels need to take a break from the “day to day”. :slight_smile:

4 Likes
15

Luckily for me, Mexico is not on my bucket list. As good as what the food could me, im sure my crohns wouldn’t agree. Off the list.

5 Likes
16

I read that the Mexican authorities eliminated “El Mencho”, when did this all of a sudden become a US operation?

5 Likes
17

Not necessarily on mine but I’ve never been on a cruise and a three-day trip to Ensenada might be the safest way to scratch the itch.

2 Likes
18

Wink wink

4 Likes
19

Cozumel is (was?) the same way, when I vacationed down there many years ago it was effectively ran by high ranking cartel bosses making $$$$ off the paying tourists.

If anyone was caught committing crimes on the island, they were “deported” to the mainland….. so yeah there was ZERO crime there.

That trip was what got my mom hooked on Scuba diving!

5 Likes
20

When trump declared a war on the cartels. Its been a long time coming

4 Likes