Sudden Violence Disrupts Idyllic Mexican Getaway
Black smoke pillars marred the scenic views from balconies in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Sunday morning, catching visitors from Yukon off guard. Explosions soon followed, transforming the coastal city in Jalisco state into a hotspot of unrest.
Authorities report the turmoil erupted after a leader of one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal groups died in a clash with special forces operatives.
Shelter Orders and Flight Disruptions
Global Affairs Canada urges travelers in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place. Multiple airlines have canceled flights to and from the city amid the escalating situation.
Eyewitness Accounts from Yukon Group
Theresa Hayduck, a first-time visitor to Mexico who arrived Friday with a party of 13, spotted the smoke initially. “I just thought: ‘Oh. That’s kind of weird to have forest fires,’” she said, moments before hearing blasts.
“This is my first time in Mexico. I feel like I’m living my best life,” Hayduck shared in a phone interview. “My first morning I just woke up with so much gratitude.” Despite the cartel-linked chaos, she stays composed: “I’m just trying to not freak out.”
Fellow traveler Vincent Esquiro, staying at the Sunscape Resort, witnessed dozens of fires with flames visible above treetops. “The streets were empty. No people walking. Nobody driving. Nobody out. It was very, very quiet. No birds,” he described. The hotel lobby filled with guests barred from leaving.
The group, booked until Friday, assesses flights and conditions daily. Esquiro posted updates on social media, but reactions lagged until after Canada’s 2026 Winter Olympics hockey game against the U.S. “I think everybody in Canada was watching that game,” he noted. “There does seem to be a sense of ‘stay calm and carry on.’ I’m not going anywhere.”
Hayduck remains upbeat: “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. I guess we’re all just going to hunker down in the resort.”
Former Yukon’s Commissioner Shares Perspective
Doug Phillips, former Yukon commissioner on a three-week vacation, saw a massive smoke column while watching the hockey match at a waterfront restaurant near Marina Puerto Vallarta. Hotel staff at Mayan Palace at Vidanta Puerto Vallarta later announced the lockdown.
From their balcony, Phillips and family counted over 15 fires in downtown and nearby areas. “The situation was a little scary but we were quite safe,” he said. Puerto Vallarta stays safe for tourists, he emphasized: “It’s actually more of an attack between the fights between the different cartels. Hunker down and stay where you’re safe.”
Originally scheduled to leave Monday, Phillips faces uncertainty. “We’re kind of in no-man’s-land right now,” he remarked. “I can’t wait to get back to the 25 below. And no cartel.”
