26K Canadians in Mexico as cartel violence hits Puerto Vallarta: minister

There are currently more than 26,000 Canadians registered in Mexico -- and no plans for military or consular flights to assist Canadians getting out.

There are currently more than 26,000 Canadians registered in Mexico as cartel violence hits the popular tourist area of Puerto Vallarta — and no plans for military or consular flights to assist Canadians getting out, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said.

Anand said the federal government is working on plans to “assist,” but did not share further details and said Mexican authorities have told her that they expect the situation to “normalize.”

“I am in contact with my Mexican counterpart who expects the situation to normalize in the coming days. Our ambassador and consular staff are working with their counterparts to ensure that Canadians remain safe,” Anand told reporters in Ottawa Monday.

As of 7 a.m. Eastern on Monday, 26,305 Canadians in Mexico have registered with Global Affairs Canada, Anand said. This number is an increase of around 8,000 compared to 24 hours ago, signalling Canadians registering with GAC “in the  thousands” as cartel violence escalates in Mexico’s Jalisco state.

Since registration is voluntary, Anand said the actual number of Canadians in Mexico is expected to be higher.

Canadians are being urged to register with GAC, either by calling register 613-996-8885-SOS or at international.gc.ca.

In the last 24 hours, Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre has received 440 calls from Canadians who are seeking information about flights and travel advisories, Anand said.

Two of the calls for consular support “relate to Canadians who have non-life-threatening injuries,” Anand said, but added it wasn’t clear whether these injuries were a result of cartel violence.