American tech firm books every US-bound flight after cartel leader’s killing triggers airport chaos, rescues stranded employee from Mexico

When violence erupted without warning at one of Mexico’s busiest airports, an American tech company made a move that stunned even seasoned travellers. Instead of waiting for the situation to stabilise, the firm acted with rare urgency, booking every available US-bound flight in a desperate bid to get one stranded employee out of the country.



The dramatic situation unfolded in Guadalajara following the killing of powerful cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as El Mencho. His death set off a wave of violent retaliation, shutting down major roads, grounding flights and prompting authorities to issue emergency stay-indoors advisories across the region. As chaos spread through the airport, passengers were left scrambling for safety, with one American couple forced to take shelter inside the terminal, cut off from reliable updates and uncertain when or how they would escape.



Andrew Barba, a software engineer at Vercel, had been travelling with his wife when unrest broke out at Guadalajara International Airport. As flights were cancelled and information became scarce, the couple reportedly took shelter inside a bathroom while smoke billowed outside and armed unrest brought operations to a halt.

With patchy internet access and no clear timeline for evacuation, the situation appeared grim. Back in the United States, however, Barba’s colleagues were already mobilising. According to Barba, Vercel’s leadership team immediately began securing tickets on every outbound flight headed for the US, hoping that at least one aircraft would manage to depart despite the turmoil.



The gamble paid off. One flight finally took off, carrying Barba and his wife to safety in Dallas, Texas. Hours after landing, Barba shared his experience online, describing the moment as surreal and deeply emotional. He praised his employer’s relentless efforts, noting that while air travel was Plan A, backup strategies were already in motion should the situation deteriorate further.



The unrest followed a major military operation in Jalisco that resulted in the death of El Mencho, long regarded as one of Mexico’s most dangerous cartel figures. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel responded swiftly, blocking highways, torching vehicles and disrupting daily life across multiple states. Schools closed, airports stalled and both local and foreign governments issued urgent safety advisories.



For many caught in the upheaval, the sudden collapse of infrastructure underscored how quickly routine travel can turn perilous. For Barba, the episode became a stark reminder of the value of decisive leadership and corporate responsibility during crisis situations.

As Mexico continues to grapple with the fallout from cartel violence, the incident has resonated widely online. It has sparked discussion not only about security risks but also about how far employers should go to protect their staff abroad. In this case, one company’s all-in response turned a moment of fear into a rare story of swift action, trust and human-first decision-making.