The topic of “Puerto Vallarta” is currently trending with over 100K searches due to reported unrest in the area. This situation has likely prompted significant public interest, as people seek to understand the nature and implications of the unrest occurring in this popular tourist destination.
Additionally, there have been numerous posts on X (formerly Twitter) related to Puerto Vallarta, further amplifying the level of attention the area is receiving. These posts might include updates on the situation, which can drive increased searches as individuals search for real-time information and developments.
Recent news signals indicate that there is also growing concern regarding crime in Puerto Vallarta. This association with crime may lead individuals to research the safety of the area, particularly if they are planning to visit or have ties to the region. The combination of these factors underscores the heightened interest in Puerto Vallarta at this time.
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Internet Reacts
C
I’ve lived in Guadalajara for years, we are also “under siege,” as are several other states in the region. We are currently under a statewide lockdown order, and all businesses and schools are required to close until the violence passes. Cartel retaliation like this is *heavily* unprecedented.
B
Yeah I’m aware, I’m trying to find literally any English language news source that’s giving the situation a proper title. TMZ was, for sure, not my first choice. Also violence in Veracruz and Tijuana
D
[https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/22/americas/mexico-kill-drug-mencho-latam-intl](https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/22/americas/mexico-kill-drug-mencho-latam-intl) >Mexico’s most-wanted drug leader killed in military operation as violent clashes erupt across country
V
Holy shit
V
We’ve been getting zero news in the US all morning even as flights are cancelled and social media/bbc/cbc light up. Also just saw Laura Loomer X post on a Reddit sub with her claiming the US just took El Mencho out and now the cartel is holding American tourists hostage (it is not credible with her as source, seems more to me like US is yet again actively suppressing real news and sending out their in-pocket influencers to push the narrative). I hope everyone will be safe.
M
The Mexican Embassy in the US explicitly called her out and rejected her tweet: [“This post is false. The military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, aimed at capturing Rubén “N,” alias “Mencho,” was planned and executed by Mexican Special Forces. The action was carried out within the framework of bilateral cooperation, with U.S. authorities providing complementary intelligence. Mexican National Guard and Army troops are currently reinforcing security in Jalisco and neighboring states to maintain order.”](https://x.com/embamexeua/status/2025655394752700853?s=46)
V
Thank them so deeply. She’s literally one of the only govt adjacent people with followers spewing bs today in absence of voice from anyone from any side.
S
The mexican army took him out and there are no american hostages. Laura Loomer is literally repeating shit she is seeing from random twitter comments
S
Exactly how the President gets his news.
D
Pulling them out of his ass.
V
Agree!!! I saw that post 4 hours after zero news (which made me think that US govt was trying to craft a story where Trump is some sorta hero again after another really botched week of his BS) and my stomach turned even worse.
P
If he takes credit won’t they go after him? She’s not very bright what’s going on over there in her head
S
If he takes credit they will go after American tourists for sure.
E
All I’ve seen on my news feed is a CNN post which said Mexican army got him Also I got a Google news alert on my phone from the US embassy in Mexico calling for a shelter in place due to current operation.
V
Me too. Aside from cbc and bbc blasts saying same, plus subs in Canada where my daughter is, which led me to puerto Vallarta and Mexico subs.
C
Never trust or repeat anything Loomer says. She pulls shit out of her ass to further her agenda and she spreads disinformation on purpose. Also she’s an actual neo-nazi.
V
You are completely 100% correct. I tried to mark my comment as knowingly fake news.
D
Yeah, she’s going to get people killed.
V
She really shouldn’t have any power. This is awful.
T
I’m seeing articles on this from every major news source by just searching “Puerto Vallarta”. There’s no suppression of news at all. You’d have to intentionally look up Laura Loomer to see her comments.
G
What’s happening in TJ?
B
Mexican police and gunman got into a brief firefight (no injuries or deaths as far as I can tell) on the highway when someone was trying to set up another burning roadblock. I *think*.
P
Basically all the West region of Mexico that was controled by el mencho’s cartel is sensitive right now. My best wishes for all the civilians who live in that region. Hope they are safe.
B
I am so sorry to read this. I absolutely love Puerto Vallarta and the Jalisco state, and knowing that this has been boiling under the surface for the past long while has definitely affected my desire to spend time there. I know it’s naive but I do hope that somehow these deep seated issues can have some kind of peaceful resolution sooner than later but it’s hard to imagine how right now, it would be a true miracle. I feel so much for all the civilians and tourists caught in the crossfire. I have family there right now. Devastating.
P
Things are gonna get better soon, I mean better for Mexican standards. 15 years ago, things were a shit show were I live in Northern Mexico and now they’re decent, again for a Mexican and a big city standard.
V
Me too. Life should never go this way.
A
Heavily unprecedented i guess because the last few decades’ major cartel leaders are all getting popped and no major figures to keep them in line and settle internal and external disputes between cartels. Chapo’s gone, Mayo’s gone now Mencho’s gone. It’s open season now. If they somehow get Iván Archivaldo as well its gonna be interesting.
T
Unprecedented? What was the “Culiacanazo” then?
C
It isn’t unprecedented, it happened twice I think when El Chapo’s son was captured. They ended up freeing his son after violence in Culiacan too, which is effectively the exact precedent the cartels will be trying to invoke here
N
That was Jalisco new generation which was kind of famous for being ultra violent even amongst cartels. I’m assuming killing their leader is a bit of a faux pas
R
What’s your personal strategy? Can you arm and barricade yourselves inside your homes to defend against any violence in your neighbourhood? Or do you just have to stay and pray?
C
Its almost illegal for anyone in mexico to have anything more than a pistol and single shot shotguns or bolt action rifles. Also the process is hard and takes a lot of money and you can only buy a gun at a single military base in mexico city. So Its about as common as someone having a pilots license in most countries. Its technically achievable by anyone but its a barrier that most people never get across. So for most mexicans, arming themselves is not even an option.
W
>So for most mexicans, arming themselves is not even an option. I feel like the word “legally” is missing from this sentence.
J
I don’t mean to sound callous, but it seems like the cartel’s have generally left the more touristy areas alone, either because they knew it would not be something the govt could ignore, or maybe some other reason. If I’m correct, this seems like a really dumb move and one destined for an outsized govt response. Please, stay safe! As an American, I will be praying this is over for you soon.
Z
They leave tourist areas alone for several reasons. The first is to launder money. The second is many of the well connected Mexicans have investments in Tourism. These people start to lose millions per day as foreigners don’t come. Are more likely to support additional actions against the Cartels. Last killing Americans and the CIA all of a sudden has the location of multiple higher-ups and is more then willing to give them up to the Mexican government.
F
Exactly, a whole slew of reasons that broadly fall under the category of “it’s bad for business without usually much benefit so it happens far more rarely”. The juice is not worth the squeeze.
P
Since the 1980s AT LEAST it has been standard operating procedure for the cartels to leave tourist areas alone. It’s bad for business.
F
When an animal is corned it will lash out. That doesn’t mean you should just let the animals roam free though. This will be a hard time for the people of Mexico but if you never pay the butchers bill it will never get better.
T
…I dunno anything about this. But they’re giving themselves too much visibility for the U.S. , which wanted to bomb the cartels not too long ago. Odd timing but maybe just how things are going locally, rather than an intentional provocation of the cartels.
J
How is it unprecedented when this outcome was entirely precedented?
J
Canadian currently locked down a Guadalajara until we hear it’s safe to be outside. The cartel issued a warning for everyone to stay off the streets after 2 PM.
B
Oh shit I’m actually not seeing a ton out of Guadalajara at all. You have internet right now? Does the hotel have satellite internet? The airport MLAT went down and we’ve seen no videos out of the airport and city center for over two hours now, as far as I can find at least.
J
So far yep. We’ve been told to keep our devices charged in case the cartel kills the power. We’ve stocked up on water. For the most part it’s been quiet. No shots, sirens or helicopters. At 4:24pm at least.
B
Gotcha. I might check in with you again. Don’t post what hotel you’re at online, just say “a hotel.”
J
Thank you! I’ll post updates
E
Stay safe! I hope it passes and you can get home safely.
D
Irish citizen, stuck in Guadalajara too. Friends are stuck in tequila towns 1.5 hours outside guad. It’s mayhem at the moment.
B
Without identifying where you are too closely, do you have satellite internet or regular internet?
M
Whoa. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the cartels ever openly attacking resort towns like this before. Even for the Mexican Drug War, this feels different.
B
Seems like 1) Enough leaders were killed that lower level morons are making stupid, kneejerk decisions And 2) they want to punish the country itself for taking such an extreme action against them
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