Global Affairs issues update, flight cancellations continue as situation in Mexico remains fluid

Global Affairs Canada has updated it advisory on Mexico as Canadian (and other airlines) cancel flights today (Feb 23) after a Mexican government operation against a major drug cartel led to an outbreak of violence in Jalisco state, including the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, with cars being burned and roads being blocked in various places in the area.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand posted on X that: “Canada is closely monitoring the serious and rapidly evolving security situation in Jalisco State, Mexico, including in and around Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.”

The Minister’s post continued: “We are deeply alarmed by reports of violence following a major security operation, including armed clashes, roadblocks, and vehicles set on fire in multiple areas. We are aware that local authorities have issued shelter-in-place orders in some locations and the situation remains fluid.”

And she stated that: “The safety and security of Canadians abroad remain our highest priority and it is for this reason that we are issuing an updated travel advisory. Global Affairs officials are in close contact with local authorities and partners and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadians in the region.”

According to Global Affairs Canada, at the moment, there are 18,703 Canadians in Mexico, and of that number, 4,672 are in Jalisco state.

In its updated advice, Global Affairs says that Canadians in Mexico should “exercise a high degree of caution,” telling them that “criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in several cities in various parts of Mexico. There have been shootouts with security forces and explosions, including on roads and highways connecting affected areas to Mexico city.”

And the update states that security incidents have taken place across the country, especially in the following states:

• Jalisco, including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta
• Guerrero, including Acapulco
• Michoacán
• Sinaloa, including Mazatlán
• Quintana Roo, including Cancun
• Baja California, including Tijuana and Tecate
• Nayarit

Global Affairs warns that: “The security situation could deteriorate rapidly in these locations and in others across Mexico.Shelter in place orders are in effect in Jalisco and Nayarit. Similar instructions, including curfews, may be issued on short notice in other areas of the country. There are significant disruptions to travel and transportation, including flight delays and cancellations.”

And it tells Canadians in Mexico that they should:

• avoid the affected areas
• keep a low profile and limit your movements
• follow the advice of local authorities, including any curfews and orders to shelter in place
• monitor local and international media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• before making your way to the airport, check with your airline to determine if there are delays or changes in flight schedules

Go to https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico

In a service update today, WestJet said that it is “carefully monitoring the ongoing situation in Mexico, with the safety of our guests, crews and ground partners as our top priority.”

And it advises that it has cancelled all flights to and from PVR today (Mon., Feb. 23, 2026). The 20 additional cancellations include:

• WS2250 YYC-PVR
• WS2251 PVR-YYC
• WS2770 YYZ-PVR
• WS2771 PVR-YYZ
• WS2214 YLW-PVR
• WS2150 PVR-YLW
• WS2150 YVR-PVR
• WS2151 PVR-YVR
• WS2152 YVR-PVR
• WS2153 PVR-YVR
• WS2450 YWG-PVR
• WS2451 PVR-YWG
• WS2380 YQR-PVR
• WS2381 PVR-YQR
• WS2400 YXE-PVR
• WS2401 PVR-YXE
• WS2112 YEG-PVR
• WS2113 PVR-YEG
• WS2114 YEG-PVR
• WS2115 PVR-YEG

The airline says that its flexible/change policy for service to and from PVR, ZLO and GDL has also been extended to Feb. 25, 2026.

Porter Airlines said that its Puerto Vallarta operations are currently suspended due to airport restrictions in a post on X. And it advised that passengers are currently being offered complimentary flight changes through Feb. 25 and directed them to monitor flight status at https://bit.ly/4rzvfma

Earlier Air Canada has posted on X that the security situation in Puerto Vallarta is ongoing, and local authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order, advising that Air Canada flights to and from PVR would be cancelled on [Feb. 23, 2026].