What was supposed to be a relaxing winter getaway quickly turned into a shock for Michigan tourist Michael Odom.
Odom, who is visiting Puerto Vallarta from Northville with friends, is now sheltering in place inside a condominium complex as cartel violence grips the resort city.
He says many businesses are closed, supplies are limited, and streets that were once filled with tourists are now eerily quiet.
“It started early in the morning. I was lying on the sofa,” Odom recalled. “The window was open, heard lots of pops and outside movements that weren’t normal.”
The unrest followed the Mexican military’s killing of alleged cartel leader El Mencho on Sunday (Feb. 22), triggering a wave of retaliation.
Odom said the scenes outside his building have been jarring.
“It really does look and feel like a war zone,” Odom said.
From the rooftop of his building, Odom recorded video showing fires burning in the streets — blazes he says were set by cartel members.
“People were rushing inside saying, ‘Hey, you can’t go out, the cartels are setting things on fire, lots of cartels with guns in the street,’” Odom said. “There was no movement on the streets except guys on motorcycles, obviously cartel.”
“What I didn’t see were fire trucks, ambulances, no taxis, buses,” Odom added. “They had stopped all of that. In fact, they were carjacking that and setting those on fire.”
Odom said other tourists and locals have also sought refuge inside the condominium complex where he is staying.
With much of the city shut down, he says basic errands like buying food or water have become difficult.
He said there are no flights out until Friday, Feb. 27, leaving many visitors stuck and anxious.
Mexico’s president has said the most important priority now is to restore peace and security in the region.
Odom said conditions have improved somewhat since Sunday, but the situation remains tense.
“Things are better today,” Odom said. “But a lot of stores are still closed, making it hard to get supplies. And those that are open have lines around the block.”
Odom said his concern extends beyond tourists.
“It’s a tough situation, not just for the visitors but the Mexicans who live here,” Odom said. “It’s concerning for everyone.”