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A woman from the suburbs recounted a startling experience when what she initially dismissed as overcast skies turned out to be thick smoke, the result of vehicles being set ablaze near her hotel.
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In response to escalating violence, the U.S. Embassy has advised American tourists in certain Mexican regions to remain indoors for their safety.
This precautionary measure follows the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, also known as “El Mencho.”
In retaliation, cartel operatives unleashed chaos nationwide, obstructing highways and igniting cars last Sunday.
The unrest has also disrupted operations at major airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations.
At Chicago’s O’Hare airport flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were delayed on Monday morning.
SEE ALSO | 25 Mexican National Guard troops left dead in Jalisco after cartel leader’s killing, official says
Jennifer Keltner from Brookfield witnessed the chaos in Puerto Vallarta.
“I woke up to gunfire and bombs,” she told ABC7. “I thought it was cloudy but I looked over and there’s sun in some parts and I looked and there was just fire everywhere. It’s just frightening. I even saw them pull people out of cars and throw bombs in there and everything so it’s a little frightening.”
Video from Keltner shows dark plumes of smoke among what is normally the picturesque Western coast of Mexico.
Burned-out buses abandoned on roadways, as helicopters hover over the popular tourist destination.
Keltner described what the unrest has been like, as suspected cartel members torched buses and businesses and blocked highways.
Keltner’s flight was scheduled for 3:10 p.m. Monday to return to Chicago. That flight may take off, but her concern now is how she will get to the airport.
There is no official timeline – when normal flight operations will resume.
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