PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – Tourists in Puerto Vallarta, including Stan and Michelle Curry, parents of a NonStop Local employee, are experiencing unexpected turmoil during their vacation. The U.S. Embassy has warned citizens to stay indoors following the death of Mexico’s most wanted cartel boss.
Michelle Curry described the scene, “We were sitting at our table eating breakfast, and I looked out the window and looked out on the hill, and there was a plume of dark smoke,” she said.
The Currys, who expected a relaxing getaway, found themselves in the midst of chaos. Stan Curry explained, “I went online and found a Spanish news source that described what had happened with the cartel and that this was happening in other cities and was very likely response to the you know the capture in death with the cartel leader,” he said.
While the Currys were not directly affected by the violence, a neighbor in their condo complex experienced a frightening encounter. “There was a man in our complex who was out yesterday morning, early with his car, his own car,” Stan Curry said. The man encountered agitators who forced him out of his car at gunpoint after puncturing his tires.
The Currys witnessed groups they suspected were involved in the takeover. “What I saw were about seven motorcycles, two people on each. They were black with red fender front fenders, and they’re all in black with black helmets. And I think those were part of the groups that were going around causing the havoc,” Stan Curry said.
NBC News reported that the violence spread across nearly a dozen Mexican states, with plumes of black smoke visible for miles and vehicles set on fire. The U.S. Embassy urged citizens to shelter in place, and flights to the region were canceled.
Despite the chaos, the Currys noted that some online depictions of the situation might not be accurate. “I think the use of war zone is not a proper term for what we saw. What we saw was organized and efficient and, chaos. Well, it was organized chaos, but it wasn’t like people running through the streets to random stuff,” Stan Curry said.
The Currys remain hopeful for Puerto Vallarta’s future but acknowledge uncertainty. “You know, there’s just so much to do in this location. It’s been a popular spot for families and people like us for a long, long time. And one big question mark is will that change? And I think that’s to be determined. We certainly feel for the local people. We hope that this will be a passing thing. But the jury’s still out on will that change?” Stan Curry said.
Despite the frightening experience, the Currys found solace in their community. “So in the evening, we had a potluck and then during the night we all took turns staffing the front desk where the gate and the access control are to our complex,” Stan Curry said.
