ABC7 News producer stranded in Puerto Vallarta details aftermath following ‘El Mencho’s death

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Midair confusion, canceled flights. It’s chaos for travelers trying to get out of Mexico – to get away from the violence and destruction after a cartel leader was killed.

Burned cars in the streets. Shuttered stores. No food.

These are the conditions in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right now and Americans are being urged to shelter in place.

The unrest is in connection with the killing of the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho”

The White House confirmed it provided intelligence support to Mexico – ahead of Sunday’s coordinated attack.

Bay Area residents in Puerto Vallarta are being told to shelter in place amid the unrest after the killing of drug lord ‘El Mencho.’

Nearly 40 members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel were also killed along with two dozen military members.

The operation sparked a wave of cartel violence in 20 Mexican states.

MORE: Over 70 people killed in attempt to capture Mexican cartel leader and violent aftermath

On Sunday, the U.S. issued a security alert for all Americans in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place. Flights out of the area have been canceled – leaving many stranded.

That includes ABC7 Eyewitness News Producer Juan Carlos Guerrero – who was there for vacation.

He ventured from downtown to the airport on Monday to see what the area is like.

He said the situation in Puerto Vallarta is a lot calmer the day after, “but there’s still a lot of uneasiness among tourists.”

He said some of the the main worries are, “is my flight canceled? And, “how do I get to the airport?”

Guerrero accompanied a couple that had a flight going back to Mexico City, he said they were concerned what they might find along the way.

They noticed very few vehicles out on the road, and saw lot of burned vehicles that hadn’t been taken away by the authorities. They saw burnt busses that were near gas stations and on parking lots of supermarkets.

“It was very desolate in what should be a very bustling downtown, as you go through the streets, almost all the businesses are closed,” Guerrero said.

He said once the trio got to the airport, the situation was a lot calmer, at least on the outside.

“There were National Guard troops there, keeping the area safe. But once you went inside the Alaska counter, there was a huge amount of people there, and they had no idea if they were going to be able to get out or no.”

But Governor of Jalisco Pablo Lemus Navarro says schools, businesses and public transportation will fully resume – starting Tuesday.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum says there is a greater calm around the country, “people can be assured that peace, security, and normalcy are being maintained in the country.”

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