LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Summerlin couple and a second Las Vegas man currently in Puerto Vallarta described being caught in the unrest that followed the death of El Mencho over the weekend, with some areas of the city placed under lockdown and reports of bombed buildings and vehicles.
Larry Bernstein and his wife Carol were on lockdown inside their hotel when Bernstein first contacted FOX5 Sunday night.
“It’s kind of a surreal thing that happened, and it’s scary because of what it could have been,” Bernstein said.
‘Buildings and cars were bombed’
Bernstein said tourists were largely kept at a distance from the worst of the destruction.
“Tourists were not really threatened as much as native people who live here because buildings and cars were bombed,” he said.
He said others in the area had a closer view of the aftermath. “They look out their windows, and they can see burning cars and all that stuff. We couldn’t.”
Las Vegas man offers perspective on cartel message
Vince Aiello, another Las Vegas man currently in Puerto Vallarta, said the scale of the violence stood out even given his long familiarity with Mexico.
“At this level, I haven’t seen it like this before, but over the years, since the late 80s of the incumbent of Mexico, there have always situations that happen, erupt in different parts of Mexico,” Aiello said.
Aiello said he views the destruction as a message from the cartel directed at the Mexican government.
“Tourism is one of the biggest economic indicators for Mexico. They need tourism. If you scare where the tourism, construction stops, the restaurants slow down, everything slows down,” Aiello said.
“So they’re sending a message going, ‘enough, stop arresting us, let us go on with our business and we’ll let the economy of Puerto Vallarta and other places go ahead.’”
He added that the government’s concern centers on the broader economic impact of prolonged unrest.
“You can’t shut down the country. And people can’t go out to eat, they’re going to be mad. They can’t go to work, and they make money, they’re going to be mad.”
Aiello said he does not believe the cartel intends to harm civilians.
Tourists weigh whether to stay
Bernstein said he and his wife are likely to remain for their planned two-week trip, but are uncertain about future travel to the region.
“It’s still frightening as I think about it now, because now we have to think about, okay, we’ll probably stay the full two weeks, but do we want to come back here next year with this heavy thing hanging over?” Bernstein said.
Bernstein said the latest information he received indicates travel in the area should begin to reopen Monday. He said he observed planes departing the airport earlier in the day. Aiello also reported people beginning to return to the streets of Puerto Vallarta.
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