US firm Vercel pulls out all stops, books every flight to evacuate engineer from Mexico violence

Stranded passengers line up at Guadalajara Airport to claim compensation for flights that were canceled or postponed the previous day.

• Vercel evacuated engineer from Mexico amid cartel violence.
• Barba and wife hid in airport bathroom before flying to Dallas.
• Cartel attacks followed death of CJNG leader El Mencho.

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A US tech company scrambled to evacuate one of its engineers from Mexico after deadly cartel violence erupted following reports that notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", had been killed in a military operation.

As unrest spread across multiple Mexican states, cloud platform firm Vercel booked seats on every available US-bound flight out of Guadalajara to ensure employee Andrew Barba and his wife could leave safely.

Barba, a software engineer who has worked at the San Francisco-based company for nearly three years, said he and his wife were at Guadalajara International Airport en route to Puerto Vallarta when chaos broke out.

"10 hours ago I was in Guadalajara on way to Puerto Vallarta when chaos broke out in the airport and had to hide in a bathroom," Barba wrote on X. "Vercel leadership got together and didn’t stop until my wife and I were safe," he noted.

With internet connectivity patchy and flights being cancelled, the couple sheltered inside an airport restroom as uncertainty mounted, he says in his post.

10 hours ago I was in Guadalajara on way to Puerto Vallarta when chaos broke out in the airport and had to hide in a bathroom. Vercel leadership got together and didn’t stop until my wife and I were safe. Internet barely worked so they booked every US bound flight on our behalf,…

— Andrew Barba (@andrew_barba) February 23, 2026

In the meantime, Vercel’s leadership team in the U.S. moved quickly.

"Internet barely worked so they booked every US bound flight on our behalf, chancing that one would take off," Barba said. "Eventually one did. We just landed in Dallas," he writes.

According to Barba, the company had contingency plans beyond the initial evacuation attempt. "The US flight was Plan A but they were ready to act on a Plan B and Plan C if they had to. We are beyond grateful."

The strategy paid off when one aircraft managed to depart. Barba and his wife later landed safely in Dallas, Texas.

The evacuation unfolded against the backdrop of widespread violence triggered by the killing of Oseguera, the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Mexican authorities said the cartel leader was killed during a military operation in Jalisco state. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch confirmed that at least 25 National Guard members were killed in six separate clashes in Jalisco following the raid, marking one of the deadliest episodes for Mexican security forces in recent years.

Around 30 suspected criminals were also reported killed in Jalisco, with additional fatalities in neighbouring Michoacan.

Following this, suspected cartel members set up more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states, torching vehicles, blocking highways and attacking security forces. Gunmen reportedly targeted public infrastructure, while flights were temporarily suspended at key airports, including Guadalajara.

Public transport services were halted in several areas, and schools were cancelled in parts of the country.

A suspected CJNG member told Reuters the attacks were carried out in revenge for the leader’s death. "The attacks were carried out in revenge for the leader’s death, at first against the government and out of discontent. But, later, the internal killings are coming, by the groups moving in to take over," the person said.

President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged the gravity of the situation but said conditions had stabilised. "What is important now is to guarantee peace and security of all the population," she said, adding that most of the country remained calm and that flights to and from Puerto Vallarta were expected to resume after temporary disruptions.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also weighed in, writing on social media: “It’s not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve.”

Barba’s account of the evacuation drew widespread attention online, with many praising Vercel’s swift response.

"That’s leadership. When things get chaotic, you don’t want statements. You want action and backup plans. Glad you’re safe," one user wrote.

Another commenter struck a more critical note, "Lucky you had money and helpers to help. So many are not so fortunate. And the locals that cannot evacuate. Hope you are thankful for your privilege."

For Barba, however, the outcome was clear. "We are beyond grateful," he wrote, a relief-filled ending to what he described as a trip that "turned into a survival story" within hours.