After a violent Sunday rattled Puerto Vallarta’s coast, Jalisco’s governor flew in with a simple goal: get the region moving again. A security commission meeting brought mayors, state agencies, and federal forces to the same table, with tourism and commerce front and center. Officials say burned vehicles on key highways will be removed and that four of the escaped inmates are back in custody. The bigger question now is how fast roads, businesses, and public events can return to a normal rhythm.
Security meeting meant to reset the coast
Puerto Vallarta hosted a State Executive Security Commission session on Thursday, led by Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro. The meeting followed disturbances on Sunday, Feb. 22, that disrupted travel and business on Jalisco’s western coast. Lemus met with mayors from Puerto Vallarta, San Sebastián del Oeste, Mascota, La Huerta, Cihuatlán, Cabo Corrientes, and Tomatlán. State security chiefs joined the State Attorney General’s Office and Civil Protection. The C5 Escudo Jalisco command center, military, navy, and federal delegates also attended. Infrastructure and public works officials also took part. Officials described one shared plan across agencies and municipalities. The stated goal was to restore free movement, reinforce patrols, and speed the reactivation of tourism and commerce. Lemus told local leaders that tourism is the region’s main economic engine. For residents and visitors, the signal was urgency and coordination. The state framed the session as a step toward daily routines returning without delay.
Highways cleared as search continues
A central operational issue was clearing the coast’s highways. Authorities said crews would remove remaining burned-out vehicles and damaged trucks from roadways. Municipalities were asked to support the work with equipment, grúas, and heavy machinery. The focus is on corridors linking Jalisco to Nayarit and Colima. Officials want full circulation restored for residents, deliveries, and tourists. Earlier this week, state officials said the statewide removal could take about 36 hours once sites were secured. The state lifted Código Rojo statewide on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The interagency security table remains in permanent session. In Puerto Vallarta, the commission also reviewed the prison break tied to Sunday’s violence. Authorities said four of the 23 escapees from the Centro Integral de Justicia Regional have been recaptured. They were returned to custody and will face additional charges for escape. Authorities have not released the identities of the four. Operations to locate the remaining fugitives are continuing across the region.
Keeping events and businesses running
Lemus also pushed a message aimed at preserving the region’s social and economic life. He asked local governments to keep scheduled festivals, fairs, and carnivals on track. He urged mayors to avoid last-minute cancellations that could ripple through bookings and staffing. The idea is to project a sense of routine and keep visitor traffic moving through town centers. He also directed municipalities to streamline permit and inspection processes for damaged businesses. That includes quick approvals for repairs, renovations, and reopening plans. Officials said some establishments were vandalized or burned during the disturbances. Later in the day, the governor planned talks with restaurant owners and business leaders in Vallarta. Those meetings are tied to a newly formed Mesa de Impulso Económico focused on recovery steps. The state wants strategies that help productive sectors rebound after temporary closures. For expat residents, the near-term test will be what changes on the street. That means open roads, visible patrols, and businesses returning to normal hours.
