Tourists trapped in Puerto Vallarta recount cartel retaliation after ‘El Mencho’ killed

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Following the reported killing of major cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” multiple American tourists vacationing inAs airlines canceled flights and authorities issued shelter-in-place orders, stranded visitors reported cars set ablaze, suspected cartel members blocking major roads, and stores ransacked by looters — scenes some witnesses said made parts of the popular resort city feel like “a war breaking out in the streets.”

Witnesses said they were forced to evacuate their rooms, manage with limited hotel food, and even venture outside in search of meals while waiting for Mexican authorities to regain control of the city.

He and his wife, who had arrived in Mexico only a day earlier, were forced to evacuate for several hours, fearing that a nearby fuel tanker, also ablaze, could explode.

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“I looked down and they’re completely engulfed in flames,” Marchenko said.“It was six cars in total that burned and one fuel tanker.”

He said he watched a neighbor’s video showing men he believed to be cartel members forcing people out of their vehicles, then pouring gasoline and setting the cars on fire.

“They told the people to leave,” Marchenko said.“Then they were taking the gas and pouring the gas on the vehicle and waiting until everybody was clear before they were setting it on fire.”

Later in the afternoon, Marchenko ventured out to find food and said he saw pharmacies and corner stores completely burned down, adding that younger crowds had broken into nearby buildings to loot beer and cigarettes.

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Vehicles appear to carry multiple armed forces in Puerto Vallarta.

com/category/armed-forces" target="_blank" rel="noopener">armed forces and armored vehiclesmoved through the streets below.

Public transportation and Ubers had come to a complete halt, Marchenko added, saying that even if flights resume, he is unsure how they would reach the airport.

Despite the chaos, Marchenko noted that no one appeared to panic.

“There’s definitely not any panic from almost nobody here,” he said.“I think it’s interesting, almost everybody was just annoyed more than anything.”

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