“Many Canadians, especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, are in Puerto Vallarta, where violence has quickly escalated.”
After violence broke out in Mexico on Sunday sparked by the killing of cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, far-left Canadian lawmaker Heather McPherson, of the New Democratic Party and representing the riding of Edmonton Strathcona in Alberta, said that those Canadians who are "2SLGBTQIA+ community" are "especially" vulnerable to the violence taking place in Mexico.
"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. Please stay vigilant and consult the Government of Canada travel advisories for Mexico," McPherson said in a post to X.
On Sunday, Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in an operation conducted by the Mexican government in coordination with the US. The US previously had a reward of up to $15 million for information that would lead to his arrest.
After the operation killed Cervantes, violence erupted, with suspected gang members torching buses and businesses, as well as clashing with Mexican security forces. The US and Canada have asked that tourists in the country shelter in place.
However, McPherson's ask drew attention, with some accusing the MP of caring more about those in the "2SLGBTQIA+ community" than the average Canadian.
One user wrote in response, "'especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+' How are those Canadians in PV different from non-alphabet Canadians in PV? Why are you like this?"
Another wrote, "Why can’t you just say Canadians? Why do you need to specify a group of people?"
"Why 'especially members of the 2SLGBTQIA+'? Do you value their lives more than the rest of the alphanumeric digit lives out there because you hope they'll vote for you?" another social media user said, slamming McPherson.
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