Puerto Vallarta unrest rattles LGBTQ+ travel hub

Unrest following the death of Rubén Oseguera Cervantes disrupted flights and raised safety concerns in Puerto Vallarta, a top LGBTQ+ getaway.

Danyol Leon woke up to fires in Puerto Vallarta over the weekend.

By the following day, on Feb. 23, he said burned cars and buses were being removed after violence broke out following the killing of a powerful cartel leader in Jalisco, Mexico. But Leon’s day-cruise business, Tamale's Tours – billed as LGBTQ+-inclusive "for everybody and every body" – had already had five cancellations from travelers who didn’t feel safe visiting (though some also rescheduled).

"And I can only support that, because if they're not safe, I don't want them to come here," the 56-year-old, who also goes by his former drag name Tamale Ringwald, told USA TODAY. Still, about half the clientele is made up of tourists.

"PV is very strong – especially the queer community is very, very strong, and relies on tourism," Leon said. 

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación and was killed during a Mexican military operation. Unrest followed, disrupting flights and prompting directions for tourists and locals to shelter in place.