Ottawa Travelers Report Calmer but Unsettled Puerto Vallarta After Cartel Violence
Ottawa residents vacationing in Puerto Vallarta report that while the situation has become calmer, normalcy has not yet returned following a violent outbreak in parts of Mexico. The unrest erupted after the Mexican army killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday.
Widespread Violence and Travel Advisories
According to the Associated Press, cartel members set fire to vehicles, blocking roads at over 250 points across 20 Mexican states. In response, Global Affairs Canada issued a travel advisory, urging Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to several states, including Jalisco, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Quintana Roo, Baja California, and Nayarit. The advisory cited "high levels of violence and organized crime" as the primary concern.
The notice detailed that criminal groups had established roadblocks with burning vehicles in multiple cities, leading to shootouts with security forces and explosions on roads and highways. It warned that the security situation could deteriorate rapidly, with shelter-in-place orders already in effect in Jalisco and Nayarit, and similar measures possibly being implemented elsewhere on short notice.
Personal Accounts from Ottawa Travelers
Craig Searle and his wife, Carolyn Searle, from Ottawa, arrived at their timeshare in a Puerto Vallarta hotel on Friday for a 19-night vacation. On Sunday morning, they awoke to the smell of smoke and saw flames from their balcony, an unusual sight for the area. Upon going to the hotel lobby, they discovered a shelter-in-place order had been issued and learned about the cartel violence.
"It was utterly chaotic in the city. We could smell smoke. My eyes were burning and I could feel it in my throat," Carolyn told the Ottawa Citizen on Monday. She added that by evening, the fires had stopped, but reports of looting downtown emerged later at night, accompanied by four more fires. "When we woke up this morning, you couldn't smell it anymore," she noted, indicating a slight improvement.
Artur Wilczynski, Canada's former ambassador to Norway, and his partner were also affected. They arrived in Puerto Vallarta on February 13 and were scheduled to leave on Sunday but were unable to do so due to the violence. Hotel staff were similarly confined to the resort, and anecdotes circulated about burnt-out cars in the tunnel leading to the Puerto Vallarta airport.
Ongoing Concerns and Precautions
While the immediate violence has subsided, the situation remains tense. Travelers are advised to stay informed through official channels and adhere to any local orders. The events highlight the unpredictable nature of security in regions affected by organized crime, underscoring the importance of heeding travel advisories for safety.
As Ottawa residents recount their experiences, the broader implications for tourism and international travel to Mexico continue to unfold, with authorities monitoring developments closely.
