What was supposed to be a sun-soaked anniversary getaway turned into a shelter-in-place nightmare for a Minnesota couple caught in the middle of a wave of cartel violence that paralyzed parts of Mexico.
Stacey and Tony Phinney of Andover were in Puerto Vallarta celebrating their third wedding anniversary when gunmen torched vehicles, blocked highways and sent smoke billowing across the popular resort city.
Cartel retaliation sparks widespread chaos
The unrest erupted Sunday after Mexican military forces reportedly killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, during a security operation.
In retaliation, suspected cartel members set fire to cars, buses and businesses, erected flaming roadblocks and clashed with authorities across at least a dozen Mexican states, including Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located. Twenty-five Mexican National Guard troops have been killed in the violence, according to reports.
The violence forced residents off the streets and left tourists hunkered down in hotels as military patrols moved in.
WATCH: I just spoke with a Minnesota couple in Puerto Vallarta for their anniversary. They captured these scary scenes on Sunday. Today they say it is much calmer as Mexican troops have arrived. More to come on their terrifying trip on @AlphaNews pic.twitter.com/MsPdnbZoWJ
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) February 23, 2026
Minnesota couple witnesses fires, explosions
The Phinneys arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Friday and were heading out early Sunday morning to watch the Olympics gold medal hockey game when the first signs of trouble appeared.
“We took an Uber at 6 a.m. to go and watch the game, at the end of the third period is when the first set of fires happened,” Stacey Phinney told Alpha News.
She said at least three vehicles exploded nearby, cutting off transportation and forcing the couple to walk roughly three miles back to their hotel as Ubers, taxis and main roads shut down.
Videos shared with Alpha News show burning vehicles lining roadways and plumes of smoke rising from multiple points across the city.
“Streets are completely empty, you can’t get into anything,” she said. “We can’t really go anywhere.”
Mexico: UPDATE – Due to ongoing, widespread security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity in many areas of Mexico, U.S. citizens should shelter in place until further notice. Roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic & int’l flights… pic.twitter.com/SIxMGKwGny
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) February 22, 2026
Military presence, airport disruptions
The Phinneys say locals told them that several people had been killed, including at least one person near the airport.
Restaurants inside the Phinneys’ hotel were only partially operating because employees were unable to get to work. Roadblocks — which the couple estimated numbered in the hundreds — continued to restrict travel.
“When the cartels get mad, it’s their way of protesting,” Tony Phinney said is how the locals explained it to them. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
Mexican military forces arrived Sunday night, ordering people off the streets as authorities worked to restore order. Flights have been temporarily suspended.
By Monday, the Phinneys say active fires had largely stopped, but the smell of smoke lingered across the city.
The U.S. government urged American citizens in affected areas to shelter in place as the violence unfolded.
For now, the Phinneys remain in limbo, relying on locals for updates as they wait for conditions to stabilize.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
