Mexico Cartel violence engulfs Puerto Vallarta after killing of Jalisco kingpin

mexico cartel-linked attacks sent smoke and flames across Puerto Vallarta on Sunday after the government said it killed a Jalisco drug kingpin, leaving tourists and residents sheltering in hotels and streets deserted the next day.

Military says it killed 'El Mencho' in a shoot-out east of Puerto Vallarta

The Mexican military said it killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known by his nickname “El Mencho, ” the head of the New Generation drug cartel in a shoot-out 180 miles east of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco. Mexico had offered a $15 million reward for his capture.

Mexico Cartel sets fires and barricades in two waves

Videos and eyewitness accounts described two waves of violence that began early Sunday morning. Marcus Brady, a Chicago resident in Puerto Vallarta who shared videos with NBC News, said the first wave involved a few cars set on fire on the main road and on bridges in and out of the Zona Romántica area, with much of that taking place behind the foothills. Brady said the second wave, which he called the worst, was targeted inside the Zona Romántica and involved coordinated arson of buses and taxis positioned at intersections.

Shops, cars and a Costco parking lot torched; public spaces left smoldering

Burned-out shells of vehicles remained on the streets and damaged stores were heavily scorched, videos showed. A video from NBC Dallas-Fort Worth captured several cars in the parking lot of a Costco set ablaze. Jim Beck, an American tourist who sheltered in his Puerto Vallarta hotel, said, “We saw the taxicabs all blown up and blocking the streets and people running down and towards us. ”

Tourists and residents forced to flee; airport chaos and road closures

Passengers and workers were seen running through the Puerto Vallarta airport in videos shared on social media, with sirens blaring and a long line of people hiding behind ticket counters. It was unclear why the sirens went off or why people were running. U. S. and Mexican embassy and consulate road closures affected some travelers’ ability to get to airports.

Personal accounts of chase, arson and fear

Yoni Pizer told Chicago that he, his husband and friends had to run for their lives to escape what he said were members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Puerto Vallarta. “The gunmen were following us and they were shooting, ” Pizer said. “And they were attacking cars and pulling out drivers. At that point, we just ran as fast as we could. ” He said his SUV was torched and that a passerby helped them get away.

Quiet morning turned into chaos within hours

Steven Polito, a drag performer who divides his time between New York City and Puerto Vallarta, wrote in an essay for Business Insider that he was struck by how “unusually quiet it was” when he went to the gym at 8: 30 a. m. Sunday. He said when he left around 10: 00 a. m., it was a very different scene; the essay continued with “Everyday life was ju” — unclear in the provided context.

Aftermath: deserted streets, canceled classes and stay-in-place orders

A day after the violence began, streets in Puerto Vallarta were deserted on Monday as locals and tourists heeded remain-in-place orders. Schools in several states canceled classes, The said.

Officials and residents said the attacks appeared intended to terrify: Brady said the cartel’s apparent message was aimed at the Mexican government and American and Canadian tourists that, “If we want to, we will take complete control of everything and everyone here, no one can stop us. ” Recovery and road-clearance operations were underway; travelers should expect continued disruptions while authorities secure affected areas.