Calgarians Stranded in Mexico Amid Cartel Violence Seek Safe Return Home
Calgary residents vacationing in Mexico are urgently searching for information and safe passage back to Canada following a sudden outbreak of violence triggered by the death of a notorious cartel leader. The situation has left many travelers stranded, with flights canceled and shelter-in-place orders issued across affected regions.
Violence Erupts After Drug Lord's Death
The chaos began on Sunday when Mexican army forces captured Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the country's most wanted drug kingpin and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Oseguera later died in custody, sparking immediate retaliation from criminal organizations. In response, cartel members set up roadblocks, burned vehicles, and attacked businesses throughout western Mexico.
Among the hardest-hit areas are Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, both located within Jalisco state where Oseguera was captured. The violence prompted Mexican authorities to deploy approximately 10,000 troops to restore order, while dozens have reportedly been killed in the clashes.
Calgary Students Caught in Crossfire
University of Calgary student Seth Pullishy was enjoying breakfast with his father in Puerto Vallarta while watching the Olympic hockey gold medal game when the first signs of danger emerged. "He saw some big fires off in the distance," Seth recalled of his father's observations.
Initially, restaurant staff suggested the distant fires might be protesters burning vehicles to block highways. However, the situation quickly escalated. "After a little while I heard some kind of popping noises," Seth described. The father and son took temporary shelter in a nearby store before retreating to their apartment across the street.
From their rooftop vantage point, they witnessed more than a dozen fires burning throughout the area. "Some of the people who were staying here saw guys with guns on bikes and spent most of the day up on the roof watching what's happening, seeing more fires get started, hearing pops and bangs every now and then," Seth explained.
Travel Disruptions and Government Response
The violence has caused significant travel disruptions, with multiple flight cancellations affecting Canadian tourists trying to return home. Riley Fraser, who planned a brief reading week vacation, now finds herself among those struggling to secure transportation back to Calgary.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed that the federal government is closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco. "Local authorities have in some cases issued a shelter-in-place order and the situation remains fluid," Anand stated, urging all Canadians in Mexico to register with Global Affairs Canada for updates and assistance. More than 26,000 Canadians had registered with the department as of Monday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her security minister announced on Monday that the country was returning to normal following the weekend violence. Sheinbaum confirmed that all commercial flights are expected to resume by Tuesday, though many travelers remain uncertain about their immediate travel plans.
Calgarians Await Resolution
For Calgary residents like Seth Pullishy, the experience has been both frightening and disruptive. "If the stay-in-place order gets taken away, then I might be going out a bit. But I'm gonna consider trying to do homework or staying in contact with people," he said, reflecting the cautious optimism among some tourists as conditions appear to improve.
The situation in Jalisco highlights the vulnerability of international travelers to sudden political and criminal violence abroad. As Mexican authorities work to restore order and resume normal operations, Calgary residents continue to monitor developments while hoping for a safe and timely return to their homes in Alberta.
