Guadalajara zoo becomes overnight refuge as violence strands families and schoolchildren
Dozens of families and nearly a thousand travelers took shelter at the zoo in guadalajara after violent roadblocks left them stranded, forcing officials to set up the park and its parking lot as a temporary refuge.
Parking lot filled after roadblocks left travelers stranded
About 1, 000 people from the states of Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Zacatecas spent the night in the zoo parking lot after violent blockades at various points in the state left them unable to continue their journeys yesterday, authorities determined.
Forty children from San Luis de Lozada sheltered inside the park
Forty niños nayaritas from the community of San Luis de Lozada, along with their parents, remained inside the zoo; the children are described as all safe and sound, and officials expressed gratitude to the zoo administration for providing shelter. The deputy Adhán Casas said he had contacted Manasés Verdín, head of the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana, who committed to escort the vehicles of the children once they enter state territory, and that officials will also reach out to Jalisco authorities to request protection.
Facilities, aid and security measures in place
Authorities determined the travelers would remain temporarily in the parking area where units had concentrated, and vigilance was maintained continuously to guarantee the safety of families while circulation on affected roads was restored. The Sistema DIF Jalisco provided humanitarian aid including blankets, water and diapers, and the zoo's bathrooms were enabled for overnight use. Inside the park there were beverages and food available for those who decided to stay, because stores in the city were closed.
Violence tied to federal operation and local responses
Officials linked the wave of blockades and the night of high violence in Jalisco and neighboring states to a federal operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, leader of the CJNG. In response, Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero reinforced coordination of security to restore normality in Nayarit, while state authorities reiterated that the priority is to safeguard the integrity of girls, boys and adults as roads are normalized.
Local travel disruptions, burned vehicles and service cutbacks
Persistent blockades in Nayarit prompted authorities to ask people to avoid traveling and to recommend that airline passengers maintain continuous communication with their carriers. Units of urban transport were burned in Nayarit, leaving the service operating with only 20% of buses, and municipal and state authorities collected debris and metal remnants from burned vehicles along Periférico Norte. Transport platforms in guadalajara resumed service despite semivacant streets.
Returns, payments and concerns of parents
the children will be transferred home when it is considered safe, and that the Nayarit group later returned home with security accompaniment. One noted operational detail is that 80% will pay for the full day while the rest will take the time as vacation. Mothers' greatest concern this Sunday was the absence of their children amid the unrest.
Next steps confirmed by authorities include the escorted departures promised by the head of the SSPC when the group reaches state territory and continuing security coordination to clear roads and allow safe transfers.
