Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:03pm on 23 Feb 2026,Monday International
Locals and tourists in Mexico's Puerto Vallarta have described scenes of shocking devastation following cartel retaliation after drug lord El Mencho's killing. Nashville-born resident Jerry Jones, a four-year Puerto Vallarta resident, described being "completely caught off guard" as hundreds of vehicles were set ablaze simultaneously across the city, including over 30 cars destroyed in a single store parking lot. Canadian content creator Marc-André called the usually vibrant resort town an "absolute war zone," describing streets as "very quiet and unsettling." Dallas tourist Adryan Moorefield compared the experience to "being in the twilight zone," while another visitor Jim Beck found himself stranded after his flight was cancelled. Community members united, helping overwhelmed firefighters and food-deprived tourists amid the unprecedented crisis.
