Update on Cartel Violence in Mexico
Mexico City: In the wake of the death of notorious cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as “El Mencho,” several Americans have come forward with firsthand accounts of the ensuing violence linked to cartel activities in Mexico.
Reports indicate that following the announcement of El Mencho’s death, there were armed confrontations between rival gangs and Mexican authorities, including organized vehicle burnings and intermittent highway closures. These actions, as noted by Mexican officials, are often responses to internal strife within cartels or specific law enforcement operations.
As the situation began to stabilize, tourists around the Puerto Vallarta area recounted their experiences amid this turmoil.
“My group of seven, along with a local shuttle driver, was on our way to the main port in Puerto Vallarta when we encountered a bus blocking the road. At first, we thought it was an accident, but then we noticed people sprinting away,” shared Scott Posilkin, a resident of Colorado.
“While I was trying to figure out what was happening, I spotted a man with a gun approaching from the opposite side of the bus. He gestured for us to turn around, and we obeyed immediately. We then stumbled upon another burning vehicle, which essentially left us cornered.”
He recounted how they made their way to a nearby beach after a local had suggested it was the safest option. “From the water, we could see much of the town engulfed in flames. It took quite a while for our boat to return us to shore, and we were even considering swimming at one point. The boat captain, who has lived there his whole life, mentioned he’d never seen such an empty beach.” Posilkin noted that while cartel members on motorcycles shouted, “Viva Mexico,” they never felt threatened. Locals reassured them that cartels had no intention of harming Americans but advised them to leave as a precaution.
Posilkin expressed gratitude for the support from residents. “The locals went out of their way to assist us during what was an incredibly stressful experience. They rely on tourism for their livelihoods and I worry about the long-term effects of this violence on them. Despite everything, my passion for travel hasn’t waned.”
Troops Reinforce Puerto Vallarta
Images from Puerto Vallarta depict the scenes of devastation as tourists navigate streets lined with damage. Rodolfo Flores, an American energy executive, described witnessing the aftermath of violence stating, “Even though we weren’t in the worst-hit area, I saw a convenience store in Querétaro that had been destroyed by a Molotov cocktail.”
He noted seeing burnt cars and trucks on their way to Mexico City, underscoring the pervasive threat posed by these criminal groups. He expressed concern over how these organizations seem to flourish amid an ineffective response from authorities.
Security experts suggest that violence often spikes following significant arrests or shifts in power within cartels. Public acts of aggression, like blockades, are frequently deployed to display their strength.
Another American, who wished to remain unnamed for safety reasons, recounted his escape from Michoacán: “I left as chaos erupted. I witnessed vehicles being torched and people being pulled from their cars. Thankfully, I managed to flee and navigate through the mountains despite the chaos around me.”
He continued, “I reached Colima and eventually Guadalajara, only to hear that even my hometown faced increasing threats, with reports of gas stations and supermarkets being targeted.”
By Tuesday, the US Embassy in Mexico announced that Americans were no longer advised to shelter in place, indicating a shift in the situation.
