Traveler Stranded in Mexico Amid Cartel Violence—With Nowhere To Stay

An American traveler in Mexico has turned to Reddit for advice after finding herself in a scary situation as violence broke out across the country in response to the killing of a high-profile cartel leader.

The violence started in response to the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, better known as "El Mencho."

Cervantes was previously Mexico's most wanted man, and the U.S. had offered a reward of $15 million for information leading ot his arrest.

Now, with violence engulfing the country, one Reddit user has reached out for help finding a place to stay.

In her post, Reddit user dagoskum121 explained that she had been staying in a Jalisco Airbnb when a shelter-in-place order was placed on the region.

Unfortunately for the original poster (OP), her reservation was about to run out, and the host of her house did not plan to let her remain, despite the danger outside.

"The hosts say there are more guests coming so we cannot extend our stay," she wrote, adding that hotels across the city were shut down, and nothing is open.

"Even if there were [places open], there are orders from everywhere to not so much as set foot on the streets, let alone get on any major roads to a new spot," she said.

"What can Airbnb do? I called them, and they have not given me a single straight answer."

She added that the host demanded she leave by 11 a.m. the next morning.

"It feels so wrong," she wrote.

Commenters were united in urging the original poster (OP) not to leave the Airbnb.

"I would rather deal with an angry host than the cartel," one Reddit user wrote. "Pack and be ready to leave, but stay put until you have new accommodation or flights and a safe way to leave.

"At worst, he can call the police. Then he can argue with them if they show up. Good luck."

Another urged, "Be willing to overstay and potentially lose your Airbnb account. It's not worth your life."

"Nobody is checking into an Airbnb in a locked-down city in the middle of a gang war," one contributor exclaimed.

"Just stay put until the authorities say it’s safe to leave town, and if the host tries to charge you extra, then dispute it with Airbnb, then with your credit card company if it gets denied."

"The government orders trump host suggestions," another pointed out. "Stay in place in the Airbnb until the government orders are lifted."

In several parts of Mexico, American citizens are being warned to shelter in place due to the escalating violence, most notably in Puerto Vallarta, a resort town in the state of Jalisco.

Attacks linked to the fallout from his death led to the death of 25 National Guard members, as well as others across the state of Jalisco.

In an update to her post, the OP shared that the American consulate had resolved the situation.

"Consulate reached out to Airbnb after getting lots of calls, and they issued me a coupon for a few days for another spot nearby," she posted.

Newsweek reached out to dagoskum121 via Reddit and Airbnb via email, requesting further comment.