Guadalajara, Mexico: Guadalajara International Airport experienced significant disruption on Sunday, February 22, 2026, as widespread violence erupted across the state of Jalisco following the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Mexican Army officials confirmed that 59-year-old Oseguera Cervantes , one of the country’s most wanted drug lords with a $15 million US bounty on his head, also had a long history of violent crime and trafficking, was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco on Sunday morning. Four cartel members were killed at the scene, while another three died while being flown to Mexico City, among them El Mencho.
Two alleged cartel members were arrested with weapons that included rocket launchers capable of bringing down aircraft and destroying armoured vehicles.
The raid involved federal forces with intelligence support and resulted in multiple deaths among cartel members.
The announcement of his death immediately sparked waves of retaliatory violence by cartel gunmen across Jalisco and neighboring states, including roadblocks with burning vehicles, clashes with security forces, and sporadic gunfire in urban peripheries.
Videos circulated widely on social media on Sunday showing passengers at Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) running, taking cover, or expressing alarm at the sounds of distant gunfire. Some reports described fears of an “active shooter” near the terminals.
However, airport operator Pacific Airport Group (GAP) issued an official statement clarifying that no gunfire or violent incident occurred inside the airport terminals themselves. According to GAP, the airport was operating normally and there were no confirmed security breaches within its controlled facilities.
The National Guard and federal security forces were deployed to the airport precincts as a precaution to ensure safety amid the regional unrest.
Despite the airport’s assertion that operations were secure, numerous airlines proactively canceled flights to and from Guadalajara and other Mexican destinations due to broader security concerns and travel disruptions:
- United Airlines confirmed cancellation of all Sunday flights to Guadalajara (GDL) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR).
- Southwest Airlines canceled flights arriving at and departing from Puerto Vallarta.
- American Airlines reportedly canceled remaining Sunday service to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Mazatlán.
- Other international carriers, including Air Canada, Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines temporarily suspended operations to affected Mexican airports.
Some U.S. airlines also offered travel waivers and advised passengers to monitor flight status due to the evolving situation.
Industry tracking data indicated that nearly half of all flights to or from Guadalajara that afternoon and evening were either canceled or delayed as carriers revised schedules in response to regional unrest and blocked access routes caused by cartel actions.
The airlines acted out of “safety first” caution as access to GDL and other transport nodes became unpredictable due to cartel-initiated blockades.
