Video of Alleged Looting by Foreigners in Puerto Vallarta Sparks Online Debate

A video circulating on social media has sparked controversy after appearing to show individuals allegedly looting a convenience store in Puerto Vallarta following Sunday’s violent unrest.

The footage shows several people carrying black bags filled with goods as they exit an Oxxo located at the intersection of Aquiles Serdán and Pino Suárez streets, just steps from the city’s iconic Malecón. The individuals are described by some social media users as apparently foreign; however, authorities have not issued any official statement confirming their identities, nationalities, or legal status. The assumption that they are foreigners is based solely on what appears in the video.

The video surfaced one day after a wave of violence on Sunday, February 22, impacted both Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas, following the reported capture and subsequent death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación.

In the aftermath, authorities reported road blockades, vehicle fires, attacks on convenience stores, and incidents of looting across parts of the metropolitan area. Official sources confirmed that several local individuals were detained Monday in Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas for their alleged involvement in looting and property damage. So far, no arrests of foreign nationals have been announced.

The video has generated mixed reactions online. Some users criticized what they believe to be the participation of foreign visitors in acts of looting, while others suggested the actions may have been driven by confusion or fear amid the uncertainty and chaos that marked the violent day.

As of now, officials have not provided further clarification regarding the individuals shown in the footage, and investigations into Sunday’s events remain ongoing.