The cartel’s intention is to damage tourism so it hurts the government. That puts them in a better position to negotiate a truce where drugs flow without political impediment
By Sheila Copps
First published in The Hill Times on March 2, 2026.
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO—Two weeks ago, we were watching the Netflix series, El Chapo. Then last Sunday, we were living the havoc wreaked by drug cartels run amok.
The Netflix series is a pretty accurate approximation of the real world of narco-trafficking in Mexico. Although names were changed, it was clear that the story was a fairly accurate reflection of how drug cartels manage to continue spreading their influence with and without the help of governments, armed forces, and police.
The early morning attack on Feb. 22 in Puerto Vallarta took everyone by surprise. We were up early because we were watching the gold medal Olympic men’s hockey match which aired at 6:30 a.m. local time. We were literally watching the opening minute of the painful three-on-three overtime when our condo manager forwarded a message from the state government.
The message warned us to shelter inside until further notice because of what was going on in the city’s streets.
We were oblivious, but family down the street had a bird’s eye view of everything.
They first witnessed fires on the city’s edge, which they thought were controlled agricultural burns. But the fires, and acrid black smoke soon covered the whole city. From their ninth-floor balcony, they witnessed about 25 fires, and heard the popping of gunfire which continued for several hours.
The streets were rapidly emptied while the carcasses of burnt-out automobiles littered the city. Down by the bus depot, buses were also torched and a local convenience store was burnt to the ground.
In the Costco parking lot, at least a dozen cars were set on fire, along with a blaze at the garage adjoining the warehouse.
No one was injured, but people were forcibly dragged from their cars at gunpoint.
My brother had a guest heading to the airport during the morning, but he received a notice to turn around as all flights were cancelled.
Some gunmen entered the airport which sent passengers and employees screaming and running in all directions. Even planes that were within an hour of landing at the airport were ordered to turn around to avoid potential catastrophe.
As dusk settled over the city that evening, the situation seemed to be getting under control.
But we were once again advised by state officials not to leave our apartments and to shelter in place. Last Monday, schools and workplaces were closed, and taxis and other public transportation were unavailable. But by the end of that day, it was announced that international flights into Puerto Vallarta were resuming, and crisis was averted.
At that point, the government had sent in 2,000 militia members to protect the city, and the Mexican navy had a ship parked in the harbour for further protection.
When it was all over, there was no loss of life by civilians, but the wave of terror that rolled through the city will not soon be forgotten.
And the narcos achieved their objective: putting the Mexican government on notice that any move on their leadership would cost the country economically.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Mexico. With beautiful Pacific beaches and a historic, 200-year-old downtown square, the place offers recreation and deep cultural roots.
The restaurants are fabulous, and the people are so friendly that if you do have an opportunity to visit, your first trip will definitely not be your last.
My initial visit to Mexico was more than 40 years ago, and I keep coming back, drawn by the warmth of the people and the beautiful climate.
When it was -17C in Ottawa last week, we were basking in +29C sunshine with cooling Sierra Madre mountain breezes sweeping through in the early mornings.
For food buffs, Mexican cuisine is also hard to beat. Fresh fish and seafood abound, with the Bay of Banderas boasting the deepest waters in the world.
The bay is a training ground for whales. They arrive in December from the north to birth and teach their babies. Families stick around for a couple of months so in high season, it is not unusual to view whales right from your balcony.
The cartel’s intention is to damage tourism so it hurts the government. That puts them in a better position to negotiate a truce where drugs flow without political impediment.
But as long as people take drugs, people will be selling them. The horror that descended on Puerto Vallarta will not be soon forgotten. But life at the beach will go on.
Sheila Copps is a former Jean Chrétien-era cabinet minister and a former deputy prime minister. Follow her on Twitter at @Sheila_Copps.