‘Eerily quiet’: Nebraska couple stuck in Mexico during clashes over cartel leader’s killing

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Nebraska couple is left stranded in Mexico as cartel violence surges.

On Sunday, Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed. He was Mexico’s most wanted drug lord and the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

His death sparked a clash between cartels and the Mexican military, with smoke filling the skies of several cities.

The U.S. Embassy is warning American tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Tijuana and other areas to shelter in place.

Ryan Reil and Holly Timmerman are in Puerto Vallarta for a family vacation.

They arrived last Tuesday and were planning to return to Nebraska on Sunday when those plans went up in smoke.

Reil said he knew something was wrong when the taxis and buses weren’t showing up. He said they could see vehicles set ablaze from the roof of their resort.

“It was just so eerily quiet yesterday,” he said.

Timmerman said the area they were staying in was usually busy with traffic and tourists. But it had all come to a sudden stop.

“It was just a little freaky,” Timmerman said. “The beaches were pretty empty. It was only those of us at the resorts who were going out, and we didn’t stay out for long because it just felt weird.”

They said they were never in direct danger, but their flights were repeatedly delayed before being canceled.

While their resort was accommodating, the couple wasn’t prepared to spend extra time away from home.

Reil said they only packed enough clothes for a week.

“We’re out of meds, I’m out of contacts,” Timmerman said.

The pharmacies and businesses around the city closed while the situation unfolded.

They said it’s been a struggle to find flights back to Nebraska.

“They were $1,700-1,800 a ticket for the flights that we could find with like 30-hour travel time,” Reil said.

The pair was able to book flights for Thursday. For now, they said they’ll lie low, stay informed and help the locals.

They said things are slowly returning to normal.

“A lot more people are going out, and they feel safer to be out and about again,” Timmerman said.

The U.S. State Department set up a 24-hour hotline for people stuck in Mexico because of the violence.

People who need assistance and are calling from the US or Canada should call: +1-888-407-4747. US citizens calling from overseas, including Mexico, should call: +1 202-501-4444.

Nebraska lawmakers, including senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer, have also encouraged people to contact their offices if they need help getting home safely.