As Canadians in parts of Mexico have been warned to shelter in place after cartel-related violence erupted, one Islander staying in Puerto Vallarta says he’s going to stay calm.

The federal government issued the warning Sunday after the Mexican government announced cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes – also known as El Mencho – was killed in a military operation. His death promptly sparked widespread retaliatory violence in parts of the country, including in and around the resort town of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast.

Islander Francis Perry is in Puerto Vallarta, where he’s travelled every winter for the past five years. It’s one of the areas of Mexico that Canadians are being told to avoid travelling to because of the ongoing violence.

Like many Canadians, he spent Sunday morning watching the gold medal men’s hockey game between Canada and the United States.

“Our friend sent us a message saying there’s something going on, there’s some fires breaking out. And it was a video and I looked and went, ‘Wow, there’s more than one fire. It’s pretty much all over,’” Perry told Mainstreet P.E.I. host Steve Bruce on Monday afternoon. 

There were moments of confusion and Perry said he and his partner opted to “just keep the door closed,” saying they did not feel unsafe. He described Sunday as “pretty crazy” and said “it did look like a war zone.”

“Then we found out it was a bit more intense with some gunfire because we were watching videos of gunfire between the security and the cartel folks,” he explained. 

“Luckily, everything is brick and stone and no buildings around us were caught fire from the burning cars.”

Perry said by Monday the situation seems to be calming down and the streets seem busier than they were just a day prior. He said down a nearby street, there are three buses that were burned on Sunday and there are three burned cars only a short trip away from where he is but, as of Monday, it has been quieter.

Mexico popular destination among Canadians

Frances Gertsch, a senior travel advisor at Stewart Travel Group said she’s keeping in contact with people she knows who are in Mexico. She said while it is a frightening situation, they have been able to shelter-in-place safely.

“They have expressed that it has been a somewhat scary situation, but people are following the rules, and so it’s a bit eerie. Normally there’s vehicles out and people out enjoying Puerto Vallarta, but the streets are very quiet.”

Gertsch described Mexico as a popular travel destination for Atlantic Canadians.

“There’s still a demand for people to go and have a sun holiday and we’re doing our best to find them the best possible options with what’s available,” she said.

Gertsch noted Mexico is a large country and advice for potential travellers depends on their destination. She suggested following directions from the federal and local governments, as well as monitoring the situation as it unfolds.

“My advice to anyone when they’re travelling anywhere, to any destination around the world is to always be vigilant and conscious of your surroundings.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said that as of 7 a.m. Monday morning, 26,305 Canadians in Mexico registered with Global Affairs Canada, but the actual number is likely much higher.

No plan to leave early

Perry said he will sometimes travel to Mexico for eight weeks at a time and has always felt safe. He said, unless instructed otherwise, he plans to enjoy the remaining week of his time in Mexico, though there are others who intend to leave.

The situation has led multiple Canadian airlines to cancel flights, with Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Porter and Flair Airlines suspending service in and out of Puerto Vallarta.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she expects flights to and from Puerto Vallarta to resume Monday or Tuesday, Reuters reports.

“We’re hoping it’s over, but it’s still kind of scary for a lot of people, obviously,” Perry said.

“I would imagine that things should be back to normal by then. If not, well, we’ll deal with it when it comes,” he said.