Brookfield woman witnesses ‘frightening’ violence in Mexico after cartel leader killed

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suburban woman said what she though to be a cloudy day turned out to be plumes of smoke as cars were lit on fire near her hotel.

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The U.S. Embassy was ordering Americans vacationing in certain parts of Mexico to shelter in place.

The order comes after the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”

Cartel members responded with violence across the country, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles on Sunday.

It’s also caused chaos at airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, where there are significant delays and cancelations.

At Chicago’s O’Hare airport flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were delayed on Monday morning.

SEE ALSO | 25 Mexican National Guard troops left dead in Jalisco after cartel leader’s killing, official says

Jennifer Keltner from Brookfield witnessed the chaos in Puerto Vallarta.

“I woke up to gunfire and bombs,” she told ABC7. “I thought it was cloudy but I looked over and there’s sun in some parts and I looked and there was just fire everywhere. It’s just frightening. I even saw them pull people out of cars and throw bombs in there and everything so it’s a little frightening.”

Video from Keltner shows dark plumes of smoke among what is normally the picturesque Western coast of Mexico.

Burned-out buses abandoned on roadways, as helicopters hover over the popular tourist destination.

Keltner described what the unrest has been like, as suspected cartel members torched buses and businesses and blocked highways.

Keltner’s flight was scheduled for 3:10 p.m. Monday to return to Chicago. That flight may take off, but her concern now is how she will get to the airport.

There is no official timeline – when normal flight operations will resume.

RELATED: Local travelers stranded in Mexico amid unrest over death of cartel leader, top Chicago DEA fugitive