Puerto Vallarta News Brief with Felipe Álvarez for December 1, 2023

Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) – The Puerto Vallarta News Brief covers the top trending stories of the week on Vallarta Daily News and is hosted by Felipe Alvarez.

The stories this week.

The United States Treasury Department has taken a significant step in dismantling the financial networks of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned 13 companies based in Puerto Vallarta, linked to timeshare fraud schemes and real estate operations. These actions are part of a larger effort to disrupt the cartel’s financial activities, which include real estate fraud and debt collection.

In a lighter note, Father Arturo Arana has announced the completion of preparations for the Guadalupe Festival, a key cultural event in Puerto Vallarta. This year's festival will feature over 350 pilgrimages. Highlights include the journey of the Guadeloupan torchlighters to Mexico City and the traditional mañanitas to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Additionally, a major restoration project for the dome and tower of the parish is set to begin in January, funded by local donations.

Lastly, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport expects a surge in high season traffic with over 25,000 additional departure seats this year, marked by the introduction of three new international routes in December 2023. Alaska Airlines will begin a route from Las Vegas on December 14, offering four flights per week and around 1,216 monthly seats. Westjet will launch a weekly service from Prince George, Canada, providing about 760 monthly seats, while New Pacific Airlines will introduce a thrice-weekly route from Ontario, California, adding approximately 2,172 seats per month. These developments signify a robust period for Puerto Vallarta's tourism and aviation.