A sudden and terrifying order descended upon Canadians enjoying the sun in Puerto Vallarta: shelter in place. The popular Mexican resort city found itself at the epicenter of a violent upheaval, a consequence of escalating conflict within the country.
Global Affairs Canada swiftly updated its travel advisory, issuing a stark warning to citizens. The advisory urged Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution” throughout Mexico, citing dangerously high levels of criminal activity and the ever-present threat of kidnapping.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand expressed deep concern, stating that Canada was closely monitoring the “serious and rapidly evolving security situation” in Jalisco State, the region encompassing Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The situation, she emphasized, was incredibly fluid.
Reports painted a grim picture: armed clashes erupting in the streets, roadblocks cutting off access, and vehicles deliberately set ablaze. Local authorities had already begun issuing shelter-in-place orders, attempting to protect residents and tourists alike from the spiraling chaos.
The surge in violence was directly linked to the death of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” a notorious cartel leader. He was killed in a major federal operation targeting the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) early Sunday morning.
In a brutal display of retaliation, criminal groups responded to El Mencho’s death by systematically blocking roads with burning cars and trucks. The violence quickly spread beyond Puerto Vallarta, engulfing at least five states in a wave of unrest, according to Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro.
Air travel was immediately disrupted. Major airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, Flair, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines, cancelled or diverted flights to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and La Manzanillo, stranding passengers and adding to the sense of urgency.
Disturbing videos circulated online, showcasing plumes of thick smoke rising over Puerto Vallarta and frantic scenes unfolding at the airport in Guadalajara. People were seen sprinting for safety, their faces etched with fear and panic.
El Mencho, a figure long sought by U.S. authorities, carried a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. The CJNG, the cartel he led, had rapidly risen to become one of the most powerful and dangerous criminal organizations in Mexico, established in 2009.
The cartel’s influence had grown to the point where, in a previous action, the U.S. administration designated the CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization, recognizing the scale of its power and the threat it posed.
The unfolding events served as a stark reminder of the volatile security landscape in certain parts of Mexico, and the potential for sudden, dramatic shifts in safety for both residents and visitors.
