After the confrontation that occurred last Friday in Puerto Vallarta between criminals and elements of the Mexican Army that led to the death of “El Chopa”, indicated as being involved in the murder of the former governor of Jalisco, Aristóteles Sandoval, the United States Consulate in Guadalajara issued a security alert to its citizens.
In the document, the Consulate indicates that a greater presence of Mexican security forces has been identified in the Puerto Vallarta area, as well as “potential clashes between criminal groups and security forces” in the Puerto Vallarta area, and the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara.
“In the past, there have been incidents of shootouts between criminal groups and authorities in public places and bystanders have been injured,” the document adds.
“There is increased presence of Mexican security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and the potential for confrontations between criminal groups and security forces in the Puerto Vallarta area and in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. Past shooting incidents between criminal groups and authorities have occurred in public places and bystanders have been injured,” U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico.
As a result of this, the alert also extends to Nuevo Nayarit (formerly Nuevo Vallarta), in Nayarit, and to the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (ZMG) in Jalisco.
The security alert is a result of the killing of a senior member of the Jalisco Cartel in Puerto Vallarta by the National Guard. In the past, with the arrest or killing of senior members of the cartel group, retaliatory attacks by the cartel follow as a reminder to the government of the group’s power and reach.
The most memorable retaliatory attack by cartels in Puerto Vallarta was May 1, 2015 when cartel members attacked banks, gas stations, and shopping centers with molotov cocktails after the arrest of a senior cartel member in Guadalajara.
You may be interested in: Two female military officers kidnapped by cartel in Puerto Vallarta
Due to this situation, the Consulate recommended its citizens to monitor what is reported in the local media “to obtain updates” and, in case of an emergency, call 911.
Finally, they recommended that U.S. citizens remain alert to their surroundings, as well as establish and review their personal security plans in case of any situation that they may face.
