After Mexico’s armed forces killed a notorious cartel leader, triggering widespread chaos, a Canadian politician responded by focusing on citizens’ sexuality.
Canadian Member of Parliament Heather McPherson addressed Canadians who are currently in the Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta, which has been heavily impacted by the ongoing cartel unrest sweeping the nation. The politician emphasized Canadians who identify with the “2SLGBTQIA+ community” currently in the city. The unrest follows a Mexican military operation that targeted and killed the drug kingpin El Mencho, who ran the deadly Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). (RELATED: El Mencho’s Lover Led Mexican Authorities Straight To Him, Officials Say)
“Many Canadians, especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, are in Puerto Vallarta, where violence has quickly escalated. A shelter-in-place order is in effect,” she wrote.
Many Canadians, especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, are in Puerto Vallarta, where violence has quickly escalated. A shelter-in-place order is in effect.
— Heather McPherson (@HMcPhersonNDP) February 22, 2026
Please stay vigilant and consult the Government of Canada travel advisories for Mexico: https://t.co/3OYCPgpZ7k
McPherson, who represents the federal district of Edmonton Strathcona in the Canadian House of Commons, was met with backlash online.
"especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+"
— Kat Kanada (@KatKanada_TM) February 22, 2026
How are those Canadians in PV different from non-alphabet Canadians in PV?
Why are you like this?
Journalist Andy Ngo, an openly gay man, had a question for the MP. “Can you meet with and pressure the Mexican cartel terror groups to be 2SLGBTQIA- inclusive?
Can you meet with and pressure the Mexican cartel terror groups to be 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive?
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) February 23, 2026
Statements like this are the reason you'll never lead Canada. Why are you even running in the leadership race if you only want to lead the alphabet crew?
— Moose on the Loose (@dsimieritsch) February 23, 2026
My mother is in Mexico right now, which I confirmed last night, is safe, not someone you'd care about because she's not part…
Why were so many two-spirit (not a real thing), gays, cross-dressers, people with disorders of sexual development, people with no sex-drive, and pedophiles all in Puerto Vallarta?
— Billboard Chris 🌎 (@BillboardChris) February 23, 2026
The historically gay section of Puerto Vallarta was struck hard in the chaos after El Mencho’s death, according to The Bay Area Reporter, a self-described LGBTQ magazine.
“There has been lots of damage, many Oxxo and Kioskos (convenience stores) were burned out. The Timothy Real Estate office was burned out, many cars and businesses burned,” Tim Wilson, the publisher of the international travel guide GayPV, said.
Air Canada has cancelled all flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, the firm told CBC News on Feb. 23.
