Puerto Vallarta’s main road network is moving again, but the story behind the gridlock isn’t going away. After nearly two days of blockades tied to the Clarisa Rodríguez case, authorities began reopening key intersections overnight, allowing traffic to reach the airport and hotel zone without the detours that had stranded visitors and workers alike. What changed in the investigation, and why do relatives say accountability still hasn’t arrived? The answers now hinge on what prosecutors do next.
Traffic returns to key junctions
After nearly 48 hours of disruptions, traffic began to normalize early Sunday, February 1, 2026, as authorities confirmed the staged reopening of Puerto Vallarta’s most heavily impacted crossings. The first major release came Saturday night, when the intersection of Prisciliano Sánchez and Francisco Medina Ascencio was cleared. Hours later, around 5:00 a.m. On Sunday, vehicles were also able to pass again through the intersection of Avenida Politécnico Nacional and Francisco Medina Ascencio near Plaza Galerías, one of the city’s busiest choke points. By daybreak, roads were open in all directions, and officials reported the reopening happened without further incident.
Why the Clarisa Rodríguez case sparked blockades
The demonstrations were led by Clarisa Rodríguez’s family, friends, and supporters, who say the response to the crash that killed her has been marked by omissions and a lack of urgency. Clarisa was injured in a traffic collision on January 12 while reportedly on her way to work, and she died on January 27 after spending roughly two weeks hospitalized. Protesters have argued that the driver accused in the case was not apprehended at the scene, fueling public anger and turning the city’s main artery into a pressure point for demands of accountability.
For residents and expats who live between the hotel zone, downtown access routes, and the airport corridor, the impact was immediate and hard to ignore. The blockades triggered long delays, forced detours, and disruptions that affected daily commutes, deliveries, airport transfers, and weekend travel plans, with the most severe congestion concentrated along the Medina Ascencio corridor.
What comes next
State authorities have said the accused driver has been located and that the investigation has moved into the judicial phase, with prosecutors awaiting a court date for the next key hearing. Officials have also explained that there was no immediate detention at the crash site because the driver was reportedly injured and taken for medical attention, though the case file continued to move forward afterward. Meanwhile, relatives have signaled they are watching the legal timetable closely and have warned that public pressure could return if they believe the process stalls.
In Puerto Vallarta, the reopening restores movement but does not end the underlying dispute. The next developments in court and any official decisions on accountability for the initial response will likely determine whether this weekend’s disruption remains a one-time flashpoint or becomes a recurring form of protest.
