Arabic version: اندلاع العنف في المكسيك بعد وفاة زعيم كارتل المخدرات
Locals and tourists in Mexico have reported distressing scenes of unrest following the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel. His death occurred during a security operation aimed at apprehending him on Sunday, resulting in a surge of violence across several states.
According to BBC News, witnesses described the aftermath, with footage showing burnt vehicles and smoke rising above towns, including the popular resort of Puerto Vallarta. Jerry Jones, a resident of Puerto Vallarta for over four years, expressed his shock, stating he had never experienced anything like this in the city, which he previously regarded as safe.
The chaos began early Sunday morning, with locals caught off guard as violence erupted. Jones recounted that the first sign of trouble was a video from a reader showing a bus on fire. Within minutes, he noticed smoke billowing across the city. Streets were blocked by burning vehicles, and more than 30 vehicles that were in the parking lot at the time were burned and destroyed. Many residents were left without information as local authorities remained silent during the initial hours of unrest.
As the situation deteriorated, residents were urged to remain indoors, leading to the closure of businesses, schools, and universities. Jones noted that some individuals were trapped inside stores as the violence unfolded. Community members banded together to help one another, extinguishing fires and providing assistance to stranded tourists.
Canadian content creator Marc-André described the scene as “heartbreaking,” noting that the usually vibrant resort town resembled a war zone with numerous vehicles ablaze. Similarly, American tourists reported feeling unsafe for the first time during their visits. Flight cancellations continued on Monday, leaving many stranded in Puerto Vallarta, with hopes of resuming travel later in the week as authorities worked to restore order.
