When Joey traveled to Mexico to celebrate his grandmother’s 103rd birthday, he expected a weekend of family and celebration. Instead, he found himself under shelter-in-place orders after the reported killing of a major cartel leader sparked violence, burning roadblocks, and blocked highways across parts of the country.

In this exclusive interview, Joey describes attempting a midnight drive to the airport, encountering flaming semitrailers blocking the highway, hearing gunshots, and watching an entire town fall silent overnight.

While resort visitors may be experiencing limited disruptions, Joey is staying with local family members in a smaller community — offering a firsthand perspective few outside the region are hearing.

This is his story, in his own words.