Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – On Thursday evening, a widespread power outage left Puerto Vallarta residents in the dark, sparking concern and frustration among CFE users across the municipality. The outage occurred at dusk and affected both electricity and communication services, including internet and mobile telephony, compounding the disruption.
The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Mexico’s state-owned power utility, did not provide prior notice regarding the blackout. The incident has led to growing speculation about whether the outage was part of CFE’s ongoing maintenance of electrical infrastructure, as the company has previously carried out planned blackouts in different regions of the country. However, there has been no confirmation that this outage was intentional or related to those efforts.
The blackout hit the municipality with unexpected force, cutting off power to homes and businesses alike. Many residents were left without crucial services, and the outage also impacted digital communication, causing internet and mobile networks to go down. This compounded the frustration of those trying to reach CFE’s helpline, 071, which quickly became overwhelmed as concerned customers flooded the lines. Residents have voiced complaints that they were unable to get through for assistance or updates on the situation.
One local resident expressed their concerns, stating, “It’s frustrating when this happens without any warning. We rely on the internet and mobile phones for work and communication, and when that’s gone, we’re stuck.” Another local echoed these sentiments, calling the lack of information from CFE “unacceptable.”
Despite the speculation, it remains unclear whether the blackout was part of CFE’s planned power cuts. In recent months, the utility company has conducted controlled blackouts in various parts of Mexico to maintain and upgrade electrical infrastructure. These maintenance efforts are generally publicized in advance, allowing residents to prepare for temporary outages. However, in this instance, no such notice was given, leaving residents to deal with the uncertainty.
In response to the outages, social media platforms were flooded with comments and complaints from affected residents. Many expressed their concerns over the increasing frequency of power interruptions in Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination for both tourists and expatriates, noting that the city’s infrastructure may be struggling to keep up with the growing demand for services.
The outage also reignites the ongoing debate about Puerto Vallarta’s rapid urbanization and overdevelopment. Once a laidback beach town, Puerto Vallarta has experienced a massive influx of foreign investment, particularly in real estate, which has led to gentrification and rising living costs. The increased strain on infrastructure, including the electrical grid, is a byproduct of this rapid growth. Some locals argue that the city’s utility systems, including electricity, water, and telecommunications, are not keeping pace with the expanding population and tourism industry.
As of now, CFE has not provided a detailed explanation for the outage or subsequent service failures. The lack of communication has only fueled further frustration among residents, many of whom have taken to social media to demand better service and transparency from the utility company.
The outage’s timing, occurring as many were finishing work or beginning their evening routines, exacerbated the disruption. Businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector, which is a major driver of the local economy, were also affected. Restaurants, bars, and hotels reported difficulties in maintaining operations during the blackout, with some businesses forced to close early.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain patient while the issue is investigated, but with no clear answers from the CFE, frustration continues to mount. Puerto Vallarta’s reliance on digital infrastructure for both tourism and local services has made these kinds of disruptions especially challenging for the community.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – On Thursday evening, a widespread power outage left Puerto Vallarta residents in the dark, sparking concern and frustration among CFE users across the municipality. The outage occurred at dusk and affected both electricity and communication services, including internet and mobile telephony, compounding the disruption.
