Americans seeking to flee Mexico this week faced canceled flights and reports of violence on city streets. Some turned to social media and found offers for evacuation services that came with hefty price tags.
Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, who led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación and was known as "El Mencho," was killed during a Mexican military operation. His death spurred unrest in Puerto Vallarta and chaos at its airport, as well as at Guadalajara’s airport. Those disruptions caused shelter-in-place orders for locals and travelers.
One Florida-based security company's viral offer to escape caught the attention of Mitchell Rusitzky, 23, who was trying to fly home to San Francisco from Puerto Vallarta with three other friends. They were attempting to rebook flights, but inquired with Sabre Defense Team after seeing an X post about extraction services.
“The costs were pretty outrageous, but we wanted to look at all options, and this would be a good plan F,” Rusitzky said. “We figure if buildings start burning or we hear reports of hostages, we’d consider a private service.”
A Canadian said she was frightened for family in Puerto Vallarta and reviewed the same evacuation services. She grew suspicious when prices weren’t directly advertised.
