‘Burned and Destroyed’: Locals and Tourists Describe Mexico Unrest in Jalisco

Published: 24 February 2026 · The English Chronicle Desk · The English Chronicle Online

The unrest followed a major federal security operation targeting organised crime figures linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In the aftermath, suspected cartel members allegedly set fire to buses and trucks, creating roadblocks and paralysing traffic in cities including Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest metropolitan area.

Local shopkeeper María Torres said she closed her convenience store early after hearing explosions nearby.

“We saw cars burning in the middle of the road. People were running. No one knew what was happening,” she said. “It felt like the city stopped breathing.”

Tourists staying in central Guadalajara described confusion as hotel staff advised them to remain indoors. Daniel Harper, visiting from the UK, said his taxi to the airport was forced to turn back due to flaming debris blocking a main highway.

“There was smoke everywhere. We didn’t feel directly targeted, but it was frightening,” he said.

Authorities temporarily suspended public transport routes and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Flights at Guadalajara International Airport continued operating, but access roads were heavily policed and delays were reported.

Several foreign embassies updated travel advice, warning visitors to monitor local news and avoid areas where security operations were ongoing. Tourism operators reported cancellations from concerned travellers, though officials stressed that resort areas along the Pacific coast were not directly affected.

Mexico’s federal government deployed additional National Guard units to stabilise affected neighbourhoods. In a televised address, security officials said the violence was a reaction to law-enforcement pressure on cartel leadership and vowed to “restore calm and protect civilians.”

Analysts say such retaliatory flare-ups are characteristic of cartel power struggles, particularly when high-profile figures are targeted or arrested. While the unrest appeared concentrated in specific zones, the imagery of burning vehicles circulating on social media amplified fears nationwide.

By morning, charred bus frames and blackened road surfaces bore witness to the night’s turmoil. Local business associations estimated significant economic losses from forced closures and property damage. Schools in several districts suspended classes as a precaution.

Despite the tension, many residents expressed determination to carry on.

“We are used to living with uncertainty,” said university student Luis Martínez. “But we don’t want this to define our city.”

As security patrols continue and investigations unfold, authorities insist the situation is under control. For now, however, both locals and visitors remain alert — hoping the smoke rising above Jalisco’s skyline signals the end of unrest rather than the beginning of another cycle.

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