Nayarit Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero announced arrests of two more suspects in the May 9 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Puerto Vallarta, following joint operations with Jalisco and FBI cooperation.
At a press conference Monday morning, Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero announced the arrest of two additional suspects linked to the May 9 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen at a motel in San Clemente de Lima, Bahía de Banderas. These two arrests bring to three the total number of individuals now in custody in connection with the high-profile abduction.
Navarro Quintero explained that the kidnappers formed a criminal cell based in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, which maintained a safe house across state lines in Bahía de Banderas. “Last week, a group of criminals were in Puerto Vallarta, also allegedly extorting victims,” the governor stated. “They brought the victim to Nayarit and had their safe house here. Fortunately, thanks to the collaboration with the state of Jalisco, first one criminal was found and arrested, and then the other two were arrested, and now they are in prison.”
According to the Nayarit Attorney General’s Office, the cell’s modus operandi began with the summoning of the victim to an apartment complex in Puerto Vallarta under false pretenses—one of the suspects posed as a friend to gain trust. Once inside, the victim was restrained, transported by vehicle to a rented motel room in San Clemente de Lima, and held for ransom. Relatives were then contacted with demands for large sums in exchange for the victim’s release.
In a rare break, the U.S. citizen managed a brief escape from her captors and placed an urgent call to family in the United States. That call triggered an FBI alert, prompting swift mobilization of federal and state authorities on both sides of the border. The joint operation—coordinated by the prosecutors’ offices of Nayarit and Jalisco, with logistical support from the U.S. Consulate and the FBI—led law enforcement to the Bahía de Banderas safe house late last week.
Law enforcement sources confirm that upon locating the hideout, agents secured the perimeter and executed simultaneous entries, taking the remaining suspects into custody without incident. The victim was recovered unharmed and is now under the care of consular officials and local authorities as part of ongoing witness protection measures.
Governor Navarro Quintero praised the “seamless collaboration” between the two western states and the U.S. federal agencies. “This operation demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding all who visit and reside in our region,” he said. “We will not tolerate criminal networks that exploit our hospitality and endanger lives.”
The arrests mark a significant victory in the region’s broader effort to combat kidnapping-for-ransom rings that have targeted both Mexican nationals and foreign visitors in recent years. Tourism officials in Bahía de Banderas, home to popular destinations such as Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Mita, have faced mounting pressure to ensure traveler safety after several high-profile incidents. Local business groups hailed the operation as a critical step toward restoring confidence in the Riviera Nayarit corridor.
Despite the success, authorities caution that investigations remain active. Prosecutors are now focused on uncovering the full extent of the cell’s activities, identifying financial backers, and determining whether additional safe houses were in operation. Preliminary inquiries suggest the group may have conducted multiple extortion attempts in Puerto Vallarta and nearby coastal communities.
Meanwhile, Nayarit’s government has announced plans to enhance interagency task forces and bolster intelligence-sharing protocols with Jalisco. Governor Navarro Quintero indicated that new measures—including increased patrols, expanded use of surveillance technology, and community outreach programs—will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
In Washington, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State commended Mexican authorities for their “decisive action” and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to working with local partners to protect American citizens abroad. The U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara continues to monitor the case closely and is coordinating with the FBI and Nayarit officials to support the legal process.
As the detained suspects await formal charges, the recovered victim is expected to return safely to the United States within days. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies across western Mexico remain vigilant, determined to dismantle any remaining elements of the kidnapping network and prevent future crimes against residents and tourists alike.
Nayarit Governor Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero announced arrests of two more suspects in the May 9 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Puerto Vallarta, following joint operations with Jalisco and FBI cooperation.
