DIA Receives Lone Flight As Mexican Cartel Violence Disrupts Travel

DENVER — Passengers aboard a flight from Puerto Vallarta landed safely at Denver International Airport Monday night after the Mexican military killed the leader of the country’s most powerful drug cartel, triggering widespread violence that left American tourists stranded.

Criminal groups retaliated by setting cars and buildings on fire and blocking roads, preventing people — including American tourists — from leaving or entering various cities.

Two Southwest flights and one United flight into DIA were canceled on Monday afternoon. United Flight 296 was the only inbound flight from Puerto Vallarta to land.

Derrick Thomas was among the passengers on United Flight 296.

“It was a lot. It was scary,” Thomas said.

Road blockades and charred vehicles across the popular Mexican destination made reaching the airport difficult for many tourists.

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