Puerto Vallarta Erupts in Violence
Violence broke out across several Mexican states, including the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, following reports of a powerful criminal organization leader’s death in a clash with special forces. Officials issued a shelter-in-place order, and multiple airlines canceled flights to and from the area.
Yukoners Witness Smoke and Explosions
Theresa Hayduck, a Yukon resident vacationing with a group of 13, gazed from her balcony Sunday morning to see thick black smoke rising over the scenic Puerto Vallarta skyline. Initially mistaking it for forest fires, she soon heard explosions that shattered the peace.
“This is my first time in Mexico. I feel like I’m living my best life,” Hayduck shared. “My first morning I just woke up with so much gratitude. And then I’m like, ‘Gosh. I’ve watched a lot of shows about the cartel, and now I’m in Mexico where one of the largest drug dealers is gone.’ So I’m just trying not to freak out.”
Her travel companion, Vincent Esquiro, also from Yukon, spotted dozens of fires and flames above the treetops from his room at the Sunscape Resort. “The streets were empty. No people walking. Nobody driving. Nobody out. It was very, very quiet. No birds,” he described. While the streets cleared, the hotel lobby filled as guests hunkered down under lockdown.
Assessing Day by Day
The group plans to remain at the resort until Friday but will monitor the situation and flight availability daily. Esquiro noted a relaxed attitude among friends back home, who were focused on the Canada-U.S. 2026 Winter Olympics hockey game. “I think everybody in Canada was watching that game,” he said. Posts about the unrest gained traction only after the match ended.
“There does seem to be a sense of ‘stay calm and carry on,’” Esquiro added. “I’m not going anywhere.” Hayduck echoed the sentiment: “It’s -29 in Yukon, and we’re sitting in plus 29. We’ll just enjoy our time as much as we can and keep safe.”
Former Official Shares Balcony View
Doug Phillips, former Yukon commissioner vacationing in Mexico for three weeks, watched the Olympics hockey game at a waterfront restaurant near Marina Puerto Vallarta. He spotted a massive pillar of smoke rising nearby.
Returning to his hotel at Mayan Palace at Vidanta Puerto Vallarta, staff informed him of the lockdown. From the balcony, he counted over 15 fires igniting in downtown Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. “The situation was a little scary, but we were quite safe,” Phillips said. He emphasized that Puerto Vallarta remains safe for tourists, with the clashes stemming from cartel rivalries.
“Hunker down and stay where you’re safe,” he advised. Originally set to depart Monday, Phillips now faces uncertainty. “We’re kind of in no-man’s-land right now. I can’t wait to get back to the -25 below. And no cartel.”
