(FOX40.COM) \u2014 Tourists from the Sacramento region are among those stranded in Puerto Vallarta as violence continues to unfold in parts of Mexico following reports that cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as \u201cEl Mencho,\u201d was killed during what Mexican authorities described as a capture operation Sunday in Tepalpa, Jalisco.<\/p>\n
In the hours that followed, fires, roadblocks and reports of gunfire spread across several areas, including the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta. Airlines cancelled multiple flights in and out of the region, leaving many visitors sheltering in place.<\/p>\n
Kitty Sinatro, a Sacramento resident who was in Puerto Vallarta for a birthday celebration, said she and her husband were at a restaurant when the chaos erupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe noticed a ton of smoke and said, \u2018Hey, there\u2019s something burning,’\u201d Sinatro told FOX 40 on Monday morning. \u201cWe were kind of freaked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said that within minutes, businesses began locking down and panic set in.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband and I were just running, running. We didn\u2019t stop,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mark Levens, a retired Folsom resident and veteran, was also vacationing in Puerto Vallarta when the violence broke out. He shared videos with FOX 40 showing lockdown conditions at his hotel, Club Regina, where guests were instructed to remain indoors.<\/p>\n
\u201cUp along the coast, there were lots of fires inland. A lot of smoke. There was gunfire, there were explosions,\u201d said Levens. \u201cPeople on the balconies were concerned there might be fire from the cartels. It\u2019s pretty heavy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Levens said hotel staff have been looking out for guests, but food supplies are beginning to run low and cell service has been spotty, making it difficult to communicate with loved ones back home.<\/p>\n
His son was able to leave Mexico before the violence escalated, but Levens remains in Puerto Vallarta with friends and his wife, waiting for updates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the message is you\u2019re going to have to be patient,\u201d said Levens. \u201cFrom what I understand that, the federal police, hopefully, have things under control, but only time will tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Levens said they are hopeful they may be able to fly home in the coming days, but for now, they remain on standby.<\/p>\n
Back in Central and Northern California, many residents are turning to social media, saying they have family members in Mexico that they have not been able to reach. Some say they are still trying to make contact, hoping their loved ones are safe.<\/p>\n
While some tourists report conditions appear calmer for now, travelers from the Sacramento area say the situation remains unpredictable, and until flights resume consistently, many are left waiting for the next update.<\/p>\n
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