URGENT UPDATE: A Nashville medical student is currently trapped in Mexico as violence erupts following the killing of a notorious cartel leader. Aimen Choudhary, a 27-year-old student at Meharry Medical College, and her friends are on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, where civil unrest has escalated dramatically since the weekend.
The chaos began after the Mexican army confirmed the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday. Choudhary and her friends arrived at the Fiesta Americana resort on a sunny Friday, but their vacation quickly turned into a nightmare as they witnessed smoke and helicopters fill the sky.
“We started to hear chatter around lunchtime about civil unrest,” Choudhary recounted. “Then we began to see smoke.” Tour guides warned the group about the dangerous situation following a snorkeling trip, leading to a frantic struggle to find transportation back to their hotel. “Everything was shut down. There was no way to get back,” she said.
With no taxis or Uber services available, Choudhary and her friends opted for a risky 30-minute walk back to the resort, passing smoldering cars and armed men in uniform. “It just hit us that this is happening,” she added.
At the resort, security advised guests to shelter in place. With her flight scheduled for Tuesday now in limbo, Choudhary reported that multiple flights have been canceled, leaving her and others in a state of uncertainty. “Right now, it’s just the unknown,” she said, emphasizing their precarious situation.
Another Nashville resident, Sawyer Watts, vacationing at the Four Seasons in Punta Mita, about an hour from Puerto Vallarta, described seeing a large plume of smoke from a nearby fire. “A staff member showed my girlfriend a picture of the fire, warning us not to leave the resort,” he shared.
Authorities are urging those in the area to seek shelter and minimize movement as flights continue to be disrupted due to crew availability. “The situation is chaotic,” Choudhary stated, but she expressed gratitude for the support of those around her. “We are taking it one day at a time. The people have been amazing.”
As tensions rise and the impact of this violent episode unfolds, the situation remains critical for tourists and locals alike. Travelers are advised to stay informed about their options and remain cautious.
Stay with us for the latest developments as this story continues to evolve.
