In a dramatic turn of events, violence in Mexico has ensnared Californians visiting the country, as cartel-related chaos has erupted in a favored tourist destination and edged toward the U.S. border. Travelers in Puerto Vallarta were advised to remain inside after the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel, during a military operation on Sunday.
The unrest quickly escalated along Mexico’s west coast, with incidents inching closer to the United States, notably in Baja California, and gunfire breaking out at Guadalajara International Airport. The violence was not confined to the west, as fires were reported in businesses and vehicles across the nation in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun on the eastern front.
One of those caught up in the turmoil was Katy Holloman, a makeup artist from El Dorado Hills. She had been en route to the airport when the instruction came to remain at her hotel for safety. “We were told to shelter in place right now,” Holloman recounted, emphasizing the need to stay put as traveling to the airport was deemed unsafe.
Cars and businesses were also set on fire further across the country in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cancun on the east side.
Among those trapped in Puerto Vallarta was Katy Holloman, who had been on the way to the airport when she was suddenly told to stay at the hotel.
The make up artist from El Dorado Hills said: “We were told to shelter in place right now, we need to stay in the hotel, it was safer here, but it is not safe to travel to the airport.
“The road is closed due to the cartel. There’s no flights going out of the airport to the States. We’ve rescheduled them for tomorrow afternoon, really hoping we make it home.
“Just going to pray we make it home tomorrow. This is unprecedented here, the hotel staff have been saying this has never happened before.”
She added: “So we’re just going to try to make the most of it. I guess it’s time to unpack our suitcases and get swimsuits on again.”
Daniel Smith, from the Palm Springs area, shared terrifying footage of the chaos. He appeared to be running down a staircase as alarms went off and a Mexican woman ordered him outside.
He said in a video clip: “We’re evacuating the building, propane tanks have exploded. Hoping the building doesn’t catch on fire.”
His brother Richard posted more footage from Daniel showing a bus in flames and other blazing vehicles blocking the streets of Puerto Vallarta.
He said: “Please keep good thoughts for my brother Daniel. Puerto Vallarta is under siege. He is stuck downtown and all roads in and out are closed off. He can’t get home.
“Luckily there are some friends downtown where he can hang out. Although it’s been evacuated once already. The drug cartel is p***ed off.”
James Stephens from San Diego, was also stuck. He posted horrifying footage of a Costco store ablaze and revealed the entire city had been shut down.
He said: “Stuck in Puerto Vallarta as the cartel is attempting to take over the city. Entire city shut down. Can’t get out. Crazy right? We’re safe.”
Puerto Vallarta is one of the major tourist destinations for Californians, with over three million international travelers flying into the city each year – a large amount from the Golden State.
The US State Department on Sunday urged Americans to shelter in place in the city, and reports from across the west of the country said more violence was flaring up in other Mexican states.
Local media suggested Baja California, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Guerrero, Nayarit and Colima were also experiencing dangerous cartel-related activity.
As panic spread throughout the region, reports surfaced of gunfire at Guadalajara International Airport — with one video posted online showing what appear to be passengers running for shelter.
Mexican forces took out drug kingpin Oseguera Cervantes, 53, on Sunday morning in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco.
It quickly sparked the violent uprising by cartel gangs, with the brunt of their anger taken out on the paradise beach enclave of Puerto Vallarta.
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Oseguera Cervantes was living illegally in California during the 1990s and spent three years in a US prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was later deported to Mexico.
The Golden State is the main route drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine flow into the country from the cartel.
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said: “Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area.
“Also as a result of said operation in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of authorities.”
Navarro added much of Jalisco was in a “code red.” “We reiterate the recommendation to avoid leaving your homes,” Navarro said. “The clashes are occurring in several federal entities.”
Mexican officials said cartel thugs began setting blazes throughout Jalisco to block federal forces during the raid, the Spanish-language news outlet El Universal reported.
A statement said: “It is important to clarify that no incidents have been reported inside the facilities, and there is no risk to passengers, staff or visitors.
“The information and material circulating on social media do not correspond with any danger at the terminals, rather to the panic among passengers.”
The mayhem also saw merchants shut down their shops in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Guanajuato, as black smoke rose from burning barricades throughout the region.
Jalisco government officials said schools would be closed on Monday and said all large community events would be shelved until the violence subsides.
Authorities have called in backup from federal forces to combat the violence, according to the reports.
Oseguera Cervantes, a sixth-grade dropout and a former cop, became one of Mexico’s most feared cartel bosses following the arrest and conviction of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman by US authorities.
President Trump last year declared the cartel an international terrorist organization and pressured Mexico to crack down, while the US had a $15 million bounty on Oseguera Cervantes.
He has been indicted several times in Washington, DC, since 2017, most recently in April 2022, when he was charged with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances for illegal importation into the US.
