Canadian Journalist Andy Wilson Describes Explosions and Gunfire in Puerto Vallarta Violence

Former CBC News journalist Andy Wilson has recounted harrowing experiences of explosions, gunshots, and widespread violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as cartel-related clashes erupted in the coastal city following a major security operation, according to recent media reports. Wilson’s eyewitness account provides a vivid perspective on the sudden escalation of violence that disrupted daily life in a popular tourist destination.

Wilson, who was in Puerto Vallarta on February 22, 2026, told reporters that he was watching a men’s Olympic hockey game on television in a bar when “loud explosions and gunshots” suddenly rang out in the streets nearby, prompting panic among residents and visitors alike. Footage and interviews published in connection with the incident describe blasts at multiple locations and the sound of automatic gunfire, as chaotic scenes unfolded across central areas of the city.

In his account, Wilson said people inside the bar froze as the first explosion echoed outside, and patrons quickly sought safety as additional blasts and sporadic gunfire continued. He noted that authorities and tourists were left scrambling for information amid conflicting reports about the origins and scale of the violence, with some describing vehicles on fire and streets suddenly deserted as the eruption of violence took many by surprise.

The violence in Puerto Vallarta has been widely linked to retaliatory actions by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) after Mexican security forces killed the cartel’s alleged leader, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, earlier in the week. Cartel gunmen reportedly blocked roads, set fires, and engaged in heavy gunfire with security forces, causing a sharp deterioration in public safety and prompting travel advisories and shelter-in-place warnings from local authorities.

Wilson’s narrative underscores the suddenness and intensity of the violence that rippled through a city usually known for its tourist economy and relative calm. His observations — consistent with other eyewitness accounts — describe a scene where explosive detonations and gunfire disrupted a peaceful Sunday environment, leading many residents and visitors to seek refuge indoors as uncertainty spread.

Mexican officials have confirmed heightened security concerns in the wake of the clashes but have also sought to reassure the public that they are working to restore order and protect civilians. Meanwhile, Wilson’s testimony and similar eyewitness reports highlight the acute challenges faced by journalists and travellers documenting and experiencing sudden spikes in conflict-related violence in regions affected by organised crime.

Reference –

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7103045#:~:text=Former%20CBC%20journalist%20describes%20explosions%2C%20gunshots%20in%20Puerto%20Vallarta,-3%20hours%20ago&text=Andy%20Wilson%20was%20sitting%20in,erupted%20in%20Puerto%20Vallarta%2C%20Mexico.