Albertans are among tourists stranded in the Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta after the local government issued a shelter in place order following a sudden escalation of violence. 

The violence was triggered after the Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel on Sunday. Global Affairs Canada has also issued a travel advisory for the area due to criminal activity.

Edmontonian Murray Billett is among the more than 4,000 Canadians currently in Jalisco State according to Global Affairs Canada. Jalisco State is the region Puerto Vallarta is located.

Billett, who has been visiting the region regularly since the early 1990s, told CBC News the unfolding events are unlike anything he’s seen before.

“What we’re seeing is history in the making …  it’s weird being involved in it,” he said. 

“We’re seeing for the first time the power of the cartel versus the power of the administration of the Mexican government.”

The events unfolding in the region were not anticipated by tourists, Billet said — a sentiment echoed by Jennifer Kirby from Calgary.

She said she hasn’t been monitoring the news since being on vacation, contributing to her surprise. That is, until a hotel worker showed her videos of fires in the region.

“I immediately thought they were just wildfires,” she said.

Kirby said her flight back home was cancelled and that she is sheltering in place at her hotel, just “walking distance” from the Puerto Vallarta airport.

“I always figured that Puerto Vallarta was safe,” she said. “I guess always be prepared for the unexpected.”

Canadians in the state of Jalisco are advised by Global Affairs Canada to keep a low profile, monitor media for information and to follow the advice of local authorities.

The federal government also said people in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

Spokespeople from both international airports in Edmonton and Calgary said in statements to CBC News Sunday that they are aware of flight cancellations due to ongoing violence in the Puerto Vallarta region.

In Edmonton, one outbound flight to Puerto Vallarta was affected by the violence, and three arrivals have been cancelled, said Edmonton International Airport spokesperson Erin Isfeld.

Billett said some people he knows are saying they will be hesitant to travel to Puerto Vallarta again after Sunday’s events. 

“The cost to, most importantly, the families that count on us tourists to pay their wages and may lift this town up. That’s the heartbreaking part in all of this,” Billett said.

As for Millett, he said he plans to return to the region on future vacations, if it’s deemed safe.

“It’s a very weird place to be today, in Puerto Vallarta.”