Escalating cartel violence in western Mexico is impacting Oregonians with ties to the region, as military action against a powerful cartel leader triggered deadly clashes and shelter-in-place orders.
Mexico’s military announced Sunday it killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel during an operation that left at least 73 people dead. The target was Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, or “El Mencho.”
In Puerto Vallarta, smoke rose above parts of the city as violence unfolded Sunday. Shu-ling Garver, a Beaverton resident currently staying at her home there, said she woke up to see buildings burning and later received shelter-in-place orders.
Garver described burned vehicles in the streets and residents struggling to access groceries and medicine.
“We don’t know how long this is going to be food shortage. They’ve been starving, like a lot of them here now. But in overall, I think it’s a very safe place,” Garver said.
She also recounted a friend’s experience of encountering a body on the road and an armed gunman pointing a weapon at her vehicle before she was able to escape.
For Nancy Chavez of Hillsboro, the violence is affecting family members in Uruapan, a region long plagued by cartel activity.
“My brother — we spoke to him this morning — and he tells us that it is literally a war down there,” Chavez said. “There’s shooting. Everyone has a gun. Fires everywhere.”
Chavez said daily life for her family has been reduced to essential errands, with no sense of normalcy or safety. She added that her mother fled Mexico years ago to escape similar violence, making the current situation especially painful.
The unrest has also disrupted travel. At Portland International Airport, one of three flights scheduled Monday from Mexico was canceled — an Alaska Airlines flight from Puerto Vallarta. Other flights, including an Alaska Airlines arrival from Los Cabos and a Volaris flight from Guadalajara, were expected to arrive as scheduled.
Despite the violence, Garver said she still plans to return to Oregon in April but believes it is important for people to understand the volatility of the situation.
“It could happen anytime again,” she said. “We have no prediction of what’s going to happen next. … People need to be aware of it so we’ll be prepared if they want to come here.”
The story is expected to be updated as more Oregonians share concerns about loved ones living in affected areas.
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