U.S. citizens in Puerto Vallarta and elsewhere in Jalisco and other states were urged by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to shelter in place on Sunday as chaos erupted after the Mexican army killed the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”
The killing set off hours of roadblocks with vehicles burning in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and other parts of Jalisco.
Videos on social media showed billowing plumes of black smoke over Puerto Vallarta, and people sprinting through the Guadalajara airport in panic. Those sheltering in place in their homes or hotels shared images of the dark smoke clouds from cars and businesses set ablaze.
Some of those posting were concerned for family members traveling in the area or who live there. People also shared tales of trying to get to airports.
Airlines including United, American and Delta issued change waivers for travel to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. The disrupted flights included some at LAX.
“We are monitoring the situation and in contact with local authorities who are working to resolve the issue,” Air Canada said in a statement. “Customers are advised not to attempt to go to the airport unless their flight is shown as operating on aircanada.com, and will be directly notified of changes to their itineraries.”
Some travelers on social media shared that their early morning Sunday flights departed, but did not land in Puerto Vallarta, instead returning to LAX.
“The FAA is in close contact with the Mexican authorities and is diverting Puerto Vallarta-bound flights,” FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor said.
A statement from the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, which operates several airports, including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, said that operations at the international terminal and for security at the Puerto Vallarta airport were not impacted, and that the airport was under the protection of Mexico’s National Guard and Secretariat of National Defense.
However, some people on social media scoffed at that post. The Grupo also said all international operations and most national operations were canceled on Sunday.
Some posters shared that their flights already heading to the area had been rerouted.
In addition to Jalisco, the alert advising people to shelter in place included the states of Guerrero, Michoacan and Quintana Roo.
The embassy’s alert said that U.S. travelers should, among other things, “avoid areas around law enforcement activity, seek shelter and minimize unnecessary movements, avoid crowds, keep family and friends advised of your location and well-being via phone, text and social media.”
While on a weekend trip at a Puerto Vallarta resort just outside the Zona Romántica, Michael Conigliaro, 55, and his partner woke up Sunday at the Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta to the sound of an explosion and a plume of black smoke.
Conigliaro, who lives in Long Beach, planned to visit friends in town before learning the roads had been blocked off and their hotel was locked down.
The friends who live there were sheltering in place, and others staying at a nearby hotel also were locked down, he said. The waters and roads were empty.
He and his partner tried to get more information from local news, but the stations no longer had a signal on the hotel TVs. There was some concern, he said, that the activity could worsen once the sun sets.
“There’s an uneasy feeling,” he said, “of just not knowing what is really going on in town or how serious this could potentially get.”
The resort, which Conigliaro and his partner have visited for the last 13 years, was accommodating despite having limited staff, he said. Conigliaro said he’s sure the hotel will allow guests to stay extra days, but he worried about eventually going into town, and how they will return home.
With many videos and photos circulating on social media throughout the day, the Embassy of Mexico in the U.S. and the Government of Jalisco were also combating what they said were posts that included misinformation about crimes and artificially created photos and videos.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be added when it becomes available.
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