PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO (VINnews)-Violent clashes and road blockades erupted across Jalisco state Sunday following a Mexican military operation that killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the longtime leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho,” according to Mexican officials and multiple news reports.

The killing, which occurred during an operation in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, has triggered widespread unrest, including burning vehicles, shootouts and chaos in tourist areas such as Puerto Vallarta, a major destination for American visitors and property owners.

Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising over parts of Puerto Vallarta, with reports of torched public buses downtown, motorcycle chases and gunfire in areas like Ixtapa. Panic was reported at Guadalajara’s international airport, the state’s capital, where people were seen running amid the unrest.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro confirmed “clashes” following the federal operation and urged residents to stay indoors as criminal groups set up blockades with burning vehicles on highways and in metropolitan zones.

Airlines including Air Canada, Porter and WestJet canceled flights to Puerto Vallarta due to the security situation. The Canadian government updated its travel advisory, ordering citizens in Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, to shelter in place amid escalating violence involving armed groups and roadblocks.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning Sunday afternoon for U.S. citizens in affected areas of Mexico, advising them to shelter in place until further notice due to “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity.” No immediate details were available on potential U.S. evacuation assistance.

Oseguera Cervantes, long one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords and subject to a $15 million U.S. reward, led the CJNG, described by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as one of the most powerful and ruthless criminal organizations, heavily involved in fentanyl and cocaine trafficking into the United States.

The cartel has a history of aggressive retaliation, including road blockades and attacks on infrastructure following major law enforcement actions against its leaders.

Authorities have not confirmed civilian casualties or direct targeting of tourists, with some reports indicating the violence is primarily directed at government forces and serves as a signal amid the power vacuum created by Oseguera’s death. However, the unrest has disrupted travel and heightened risks in a region popular with American vacationers.

The situation remains fluid, with no official confirmation from the U.S. State Department on broader evacuation plans as of Sunday evening. Travelers and residents are urged to monitor official advisories and avoid non-essential movement.