LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas couple vacationing in Puerto Vallarta is on lockdown at their hotel after the killing of a Mexican cartel triggered widespread violence across the country.
Authorities confirmed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died while being transported to Mexico City following a joint U.S. and Mexican operation.
Three others also died during the initial raid. El Mencho was the founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and had been a top priority for intelligence officials for months.
Violence erupts across Mexico
Armed groups blocked highways and set buses and trucks on fire following news of El Mencho’s death, paralyzing cities across the country.
The U.S. State Department issued a warning to Americans in several Mexican states, including Jalisco and Nuevo León, to stay in safe places and avoid travel.
Canadian officials also told citizens in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place as security operations continue.
Las Vegas couple stranded at Puerto Vallarta hotel
Larry and Carol Bernstein of Summerlin, flew into Puerto Vallarta on Saturday and were told Sunday they are on lockdown and cannot leave the hotel property.
Larry Bernstein described learning about the situation while on the beach that morning.
“This morning I go out early so I can reserve my palapa on the beach and I’m laying down there. It’s like a haze, you know, the sun has come out, but it’s all very hazy,” he said.
He said a woman on the beach informed him of the cartel leader’s death and the violence that followed.
“A woman came down and told me, told us that she heard that the head of a Mexican cartel was killed and that this is their revenge and they’re burning up the town and they’re burning cars and they’re burning buildings,” Bernstein said.
Hotel staff then placed guests under lockdown restrictions.
“The hotel told us that we’re on lockdown, that we cannot leave. They don’t want us leaving the hotel. That the base is going to prevent us from leaving the hotel because it’s dangerous.
“We can’t even go outside and across the street to where there are shops if we want to buy something or a couple of restaurants to eat,” he said.
‘A very bizarre situation’
Bernstein said the experience has felt surreal.
“We haven’t reacted because it’s unreal. We are kind of isolated from everything,” he said.
He said he remains cautious but not panicked.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but I feel safe here because they haven’t attacked any hotels, and I don’t believe they will,” Bernstein said.
“Nobody’s giving us any direction. So we’re just here. We can see what happens, and we will get upset if it keeps on and we can’t get out. Then we’ll be nervous, and then all kinds of things will happen. Right now, it’s just a very bizarre situation.”
Bernstein also said friends from Massachusetts attempted to fly in but had their flight canceled during a layover in Dallas and were forced to turn back. Larry and Carol are scheduled to remain in Puerto Vallarta for a couple of weeks. Bernstein said they will not feel panicked unless the lockdown is not lifted.
As of Sunday, no flights arriving or departing from Harry Reid International Airport had been impacted.
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