In a tourist city on Mexico's western coast that is often associated with warm weather and vacation spots, chaos erupted as armed individuals took to the streets, blocking roads with burning cars. Local authorities urged residents to stay indoors while security forces attempted to regain control amid the turmoil. The outbreak of violence was triggered by the assassination of 'El Mencho', a notorious leader of a powerful drug cartel.

In response to such high-profile killings, it is common for drug cartels in Mexico to demonstrate their power through retaliatory acts, showcasing their ability to instill fear in the public and assert territorial control. Eva Siča, a Latvian living in the area, described seeing groups of roughly 100-200 individuals on motorcycles violently pulling occupants from cars and setting the vehicles ablaze.

Siča's account highlights a stark contrast to the perception of drug-related violence often portrayed in the media, suggesting that the reality involves relatively common individuals engaged in these acts of lawlessness rather than heavily armed insurgents. The situation reveals ongoing challenges with cartel violence in Mexico, impacting both locals and the image of the region as a safe tourist destination.