'Hope for the best': Manitoba woman stuck in Mexico amid erupting cartel violence
CTV
A Manitoba woman trapped in Mexico amid erupting cartel violence says she is trying to stay calm and optimistic while waiting for their flight out of the country.
A Manitoba woman trapped in Mexico amid erupting cartel violence says she is trying to stay calm and optimistic while waiting for their flight out of the country.
What started as beautiful day in the Mexican coastal city of Mazatlán took a frightening turn for Sheila North, a former Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak grand chief and journalist who lives in Winnipeg.
On vacation with her family, North was out on a catamaran excursion Thursday.
"On the mainland, we saw plumes of smoke in two different areas on the mainland towards the airport. It seemed to be burning all day long, big, black plumes of smoke. Then we saw big, black helicopters, as well," she said. "I knew something was going on."
Violence erupted Thursday in the Mexican state of Sinaloa after alleged drug trafficker Ovidio (The Mouse) Guzman, son of former cartel boss Joaquin (El Chapo) Guzman, was arrested.
READ MORE: Violence hits Mexico cartel stronghold as 'Chapo' son nabbed
But on the boat, North was unaware of what the unfolding drug war. She said they asked the staff if they had heard anything, but they wouldn't say anything.
