A Stonewall woman spending time at her property with her husband and family in Puerto Vallarta says a quiet morning quickly turned tense after smoke began rising across parts of the city.
Mexican federal security forces, including the Secretaría de Marina, flew helicopters over areas of Puerto Vallarta as part of a security operation after significant violent incidents were reported Sunday and Monday
Sheri Labossiere said it was around 8 a.m. when she first realized something unusual was happening.
“I first smelled the smoke and then saw smoke,” she said.
Labossiere was inside her condo watching the Olympic gold medal hockey game when she heard loud popping sounds.
“I heard the bangs so I looked out and saw the smoke. It was very black and covered the sky,” she said. “There was some as close as three blocks away.”
She later learned the popping sounds were tires on burning vehicles exploding.
“You could smell the rubber,” she said.
The unrest followed reports that Mexico’s army had killed cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, prompting retaliatory violence in parts of Jalisco state and beyond.
Labossiere said the Mexican government issued a stay-at-home advisory, and she and others in her building remained inside for the day.
“We stayed at the condo all day. The city is very quiet — no traffic, no people. Everything is closed.”
She described Puerto Vallarta as largely shut down, with no Uber service, taxis or buses operating. A nearby corner store opened briefly but allowed only four customers inside at a time.
“There was a lineup and things are getting picked over,” she said.
Labossiere said eight condos in their building are currently occupied and residents chose to stay indoors.
“We all felt safe and stayed inside. We are all waiting for the city to open up.”
She said she has not registered with Global Affairs Canada and has not been contacted by officials but has kept family back home informed.
“Yes, I have contacted everyone at home to let them know we are safe. I am staying in contact with them.”
Despite the disruption, Labossiere said she felt informed and secure throughout the situation.
“The stay-home alert was to keep civilians safe — don’t get in the way,” she said.
By Monday, she and her husband were back outside for a walk.
“What went on is crazy, but I felt very safe through it all,” she said. “The air is better today. We closed our windows on Sunday.”
For now, the couple do not plan to change their travel arrangements.
