PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (WJMC) — The cartel-related unrest in Mexico has stranded some local residents who are vacationing abroad.
A Rice Lake couple, who asked not to be named for privacy and security reasons, said they are hunkered down in a resort outside of Puerto Vallarta.
One of Mexico’s top-five tourist destinations, the city and its airport, shut down Sunday after alleged cartel members set fire to vehicles and businesses across the region. The unrest was retaliation for the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, a powerful cartel leader known as El Mencho. He was wounded in a gunfight with the Mexican army and later died, news reports said.
The couple from Rice Lake says they are safe and sheltering in place at their resort. They have been in contact with another large group from Rice Lake, who are also safe and sheltering in place in the city. They reported seeing smoke from burning cars and a military helicopter flying overhead.
The couple said it reminded them of the COVID pandemic, with panic buying. Staff at the resort have been reassuring visitors and working hard to keep things running smoothly, even though they are concerned for their local families.
The airport reopened to domestic flights on Monday and the couple said they hope international flights will resume Tuesday or Wednesday.
The couple are frequent visitors to the region, and said they plan to return after things stabilize.