Millicent Simonics

March 19, 2026 Volume 7, Issue 14

What began as a picturesque getaway for Tom Kuchyt, a Niagara-on-the-Lake resident and former Town of Fort Erie employee, a familiar face to many in the local community, turned into a front-row seat to international history last month.

The vacation began on February 9, but it took a dramatic turn on the morning of Sunday, February 22.

Following a high-stakes military operation in Jalisco, Mexico, that resulted in the death of a cartel leader in the popular resort city of Puerto Vallarta, the city was thrust into a sudden period of unrest and a city-wide lockdown.

After spending four quiet days in the residential Fluvial District near Costco and La Comer, Tom Kuchyt and his wife moved to a rented condo in the Zona Romántica.

 “On Sunday morning, security told us, ‘You are not going for a walk today,’” Tom recalled. “He was a joker. When we first arrived, he had told us the pool was not in operation. But this time he wasn’t joking; he had fear in his face.”

 Instead, the couple was invited to the rooftop of their condo building, where they watched plumes of black smoke rising across the city. Cartel members on motorcycles were carjacking vehicles and setting them ablaze to form burning road blockades, a tactic known as narcobloqueos.

Yet the city was comparatively silent, said Tom, “It was interesting that there were no sirens or movement from the police or fire department at that time, it seemed like they let the cartel do their retaliation”.

The violence targeted infrastructure and local convenience stores, dozens of which were torched. “[They] were not out to hurt anyone, they would remove anyone in the car, bus, truck, business and then set it on fire,” said Tom, “The building fires did not last long, the buildings are pretty much block concrete with very little flammable material”.

By Monday, the city was eerily silent. All public transit, Ubers, and taxis were ordered to cease operations. For those not staying at all-inclusive resorts, securing food became a mission. “I waited in line for two hours at a small variety store just to get basic necessities,” Tom stated.

Despite the tension, he observed a remarkable sense of community. “The Mexican residents are wonderful, kind people. They have a great respect for their seniors, something you rarely see in Canada”. While taking a bus earlier in his trip, Tom observed community members eagerly giving up their seats on buses to seniors.

With the Puerto Vallarta airport temporarily halting flights and airlines providing limited communication, the couple relied on a dedicated travel agent and the generosity of their condo owner. “The owner, who is originally from Toronto, checked on us three times. He even let us stay two extra nights at no cost after the next guests cancelled,” Tom shared.

During it all, Tom stated, “We never felt unsafe, we always felt ok. Nothing happened to us. We never heard any gunshots. There was a good military presence on the streets on Wednesday. We even went out for lunch, no big deal. And we had no issues getting to the airport”.

While Tom felt safe within the tourist bubble, the experience was far more harrowing for his family. Back in Niagara, nearly 4,000 km away, his son in Fort Erie and daughter in Welland were glued to news reports showing burning vehicles and chaotic headlines.

“They were extremely worried,” Tom said. “We see now how the news can blow things up. They show pictures of a few things burning, as if the whole city was on fire. The hardest part was trying to get home”.

The couple eventually secured a “rescue” flight on Wednesday, February 25. Although the flight was rerouted to Toronto instead of their original destination of Hamilton, it came as a welcome relief.

Back home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Tom reflected on the experience and the lessons learned from it: “Do not let these things stop you, but be mindful. Do your research so you are a little more guarded. Do not stop your life because of it.”

The couple has two key pieces of advice for Canadian residents planning future trips: register with the ROCA (Registration of Canadians Abroad) before leaving Canada, and continue to support the local people.

Despite the chaos, the couple says they are already planning to return next year.

“The locals are worried about their livelihoods, who rely heavily on tourism. The residents are so eager to help. They deserve our support”.