Videos from Puerto Vallarta show smoke, flames and chaos after killing of Jalisco drug kingpin

Videos from Puerto Vallarta show smoke, flames and chaos after killing of Jalisco drug kingpin Shops and cars were set alight by cartel members over the weekend after the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the New Generation drug cartel. Add NBC News to Google Notorious Mexican Drug Lord Killed, Igniting a Wave of Violence 01:59 Get more news on Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 23, 2026, 1:01 PM EST By Suzanne Gamboa and Nollaig O'Connor Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 Smoke filled the sky above the swanky beach town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as shops and cars were set ablaze by cartel members after the government killed a major drug kingpin Sunday, leaving tourists and residents cowering in fear. The Mexican military killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known by his nickname “El Mencho,” the head of the New Generation drug cartel, Sunday in a shoot out 180 miles east of Puerto Vallarta, in the same state of Jalisco. Mexico had a $15 million reward for his capture. Now, a day after the violence erupted, streets are deserted as locals and tourists heed remain-in-place orders. Schools in several states canceled classes, The Associated Press reported. Burned out shells of vehicles remained on the streets, while damaged stores were heavily scorched from flames, videos showed. “We saw the taxicabs all blown up and blocking the streets and people running down and towards us,” Jim Beck, an American tourist who sheltered in his Puerto Vallarta hotel, told the ‘Today’ show. “After this morning was the first time we actually felt fear.” Marcus Brady, a Chicago resident currently in Puerto Vallarta, shared videos of the violence with NBC News. He said he thought the cartel’s intent was to send a message to the Mexican government and American and Canadian tourists that, “If we want to, we will take complete control of everything and everyone here, no one can stop us." He said the violence happened in two waves starting early Sun...