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Minister says 26K Canadians in Mexico as violence erupts in Puerto Vallarta

Posted:February 23, 2026 | 8:53 AM
By: News Staff

By:News Staff

Updated: March 4, 2026 | 3:55 PM

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 22: Security members speak next to burnt buses on February 22, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. Road blockades and burnt vehicles have been reported in several parts of Mexico since early morning. The Secretariat of National Defense of Mexico has confirmed that during a security operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho' leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed, along with four other members. Three Mexican soldiers were wounded during the operation. (Photo by Carlos Zepeda/Getty Images)

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says there are more than 26,000 Canadians in Mexico who have registered with the government, which includes more than 8,000 who contacted Global Affairs Canada in the last day.

Anand says her Mexican counterpart believes the situation will “normalize” in the coming days.

However, she is encouraging Canadians to follow instructions given to them by local governments in Mexico and to continue to shelter in place if that is the instruction they are given.

Anand echoed Global Affairs Monday morning, saying that they are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Mexico.

The foreign affairs minister is reminding Canadians to register with the government so they can receive updated information. She says the system has been experiencing problems but insists that everything is now fully functional.

Multiple Canadian airlines have cancelled flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta. Passengers are reminded to check directly with their airlines for flight information going forward.

The violence is primarily in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the popular tourist destination Puerto Vallarta.

WATCH MORE: Canadians in Mexican state advised to remain indoors as violence breaks out

Canadians in the country are urged to keep a low profile and limit any movements.

This all stems from the death of the Mexican drug lord commonly known as “El Mencho,” who was killed in a military operation on Sunday that was intended to capture him.

The White House applauded Mexico’s army for taking him down.

But in response to the death, the cartel is retaliating with shootouts, fires and explosions along roads and highways.

The destruction could be seen across Jalisco Sunday afternoon with plumes of dark smoke rising above burning vehicles.

Canadian travellers have no choice but to wait for next steps and shelter in place.

Around 5,000 Canadians are believed to be in Jalisco state.

“I woke up to banging and I had thought it was construction. It was explosions,” says Dennis McKaig, a man from Ontario who is in Puerto Vallarta.

“There are people that are starting to come out onto the streets. Earlier in the day there were a number of people out in the streets, then it got tense again. So it could resurrect at any moment.”

McKaig is safe and CHCH News is working to speak with him again.

CHCH News has heard from some Canadians who are also in Mexico that the situation is only getting worse.