On Sunday, February 22, the Mexican Army conducted an operation that killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, most commonly referred to as “El Mencho.”
Oseguera’s death triggered immediate violence across the country, as members of the CJNG cartel burned vehicles and blockaded roads.
All international flights and most domestic flights out of Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination, were suspended following the violence, leaving many United States nationals stranded. Skyline sophomore Yashas Vanagundi was among the people trapped in Jalisco during the riots.
“I was a little disappointed because we were super uncertain. We didn’t know when we were going to get back,” said Vanagundi.
He described it as being very safe within the hotel, not having heard anything about guests directly harmed by the riots and attacks, but recalled smoke “a mile or so from my hotel.”
“I’m going to assume that just from something burning, [the smoke was] probably [from] taxis and stuff.”
The U.S. embassy issued a shelter-in-place order for citizens in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and Guadalajara on Feb. 23, ordering “U.S. government staff and U.S. citizens to shelter in place and work remotely.” The order left people staying in local Airbnbs unable to get food.
“[People in Airbnbs] didn’t have as much food, but the resort still had tons of food and tons of activities.
“The hotel staff were very accommodating, even though all the acts of terrorism were going on in their country, they were very warm and welcoming for us. They worked very diligently to help keep us safe and inform us on what was going on,” explained Vanagundi.
Additionally on February 22, videos of an active shooter at Guadalajara International Airport circulated on the internet and were reported by multiple news sources, including CNN. The New York Times reported the opposite, as travelers panicked without reason. “You can’t hear anything at all, but people are starting to run,” said Lupita Murillo, a Mexico City resident.
POSTAMx reported that Guadalajara terminal manager Pacific Airport Group (GAP) “attributed the scenes of panic to a “psychosis” generated by rumors that did not reflect the actual situation inside the airport. This position was supported by the Security Cabinet.”
“Our initial flight, if it took off, which it didn’t, would have landed in Guadalajara Airport at the time where the [supposed] actor shooter was there. But since the rioting happened, we weren’t able to get to our flights. So I guess it is good in a way,” said Vanagundi.
As blockades and fires cleared up across the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta’s airport resumed normal domestic traffic on Tuesday, and international carrier operations opened later in the afternoon.
“The airport in Puerto Vallarta was very, very crowded because everyone was trying to just get out as soon as possible,” Vanagundi said. “We flew from Puerto Vallarta to Orange County, back to Phoenix, Arizona, and then to Seattle. It took 12 plus hours.”
The situation in Jalisco has stabilized, with the state government lifting its “code red” and the U.S. embassy removing the shelter-in-place order on Tuesday evening, opting for a curfew that lasted until last Wednesday, February 25.
For more information:
Armed men take over Guadalajara airport after the alleged death of “El Mencho”
Mexico Cartel Violence: Map Shows Where US Citizens Told To Seek Shelter
Situation Stabilizes in Mexico following retaliatory cartel violence
