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Two LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in Puerto Vallarta have issued statements following a report of alleged police misconduct over Easter weekend against a Canadian drag artist, Venus Sherwood.
Violence from Puerto Vallarta Police has become a regular occurrence dating back several years. Recently the police chief held a “town hall” meeting with the LGBTQ community, but Chief Eduardo Horacio Llanas Cuevas only acknowledged the concerns and emphasized the importance of filing formal complaints to initiate investigations.
Sherwood reported on Instagram that he was a victim of violent aggression and extortion by Puerto Vallarta municipal police which included him being handcuffed and tossed around in the back of a police pickup truck, choked and kicked.
Sherwood claimed that $1,000 USD in cash, headphones, and subsequently hundreds of additional dollars were taken from him for his release. He expressed feeling kidnapped by the police.
In a followup Instagram story, Sherwood thanked those who reached out with support and expressed gratitude to the Queer community in Puerto Vallarta and the staff at Almar Resort. He also stated he was safe and with loved ones. OAPV has reached out to him for comment but have not heard back.
“We are still gathering all the details from last night and we are working with the respective authorities to come to some sort of resolve,” Sherwood wrote on Instagram. “Please do not worry about me. I am safe and I am with loved ones. Thank you again for all your messages and support.”
Vallarta Diversity Network Wants Investigation
In response to the allegations, the Vallarta Diversity Network issued a statement Monday, April 21, 2025, expressing “profound condemnation and dismay” at the report of assault, abuse of authority, and extortion. The network stated it was deeply regrettable that Puerto Vallarta, known as a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community, was again the scene of such acts.
The Vallarta Diversity Network asserted that this was not an isolated incident, claiming to have documented multiple similar cases since last year, particularly targeting transgender people, sex workers, and LGBT+ tourists. The organization said it had directly expressed these concerns in at least three meetings with the Commissioner of Citizen Security but had not received a strong institutional response.
“The Vallarta Diversity Network is demanding an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the events reported by Sherwood, calling for accountability and sanctions if abuse of authority is proven,” they said in a statement.
They also urged the establishment of a follow-up mechanism with civil society participation to address cases of police abuse and prevent recurrence.
Additionally, they called on the Puerto Vallarta City Council and the Directorate of Citizen Security to strengthen human rights, sexual diversity, and gender perspective training for all operational staff.
The network emphasized that Puerto Vallarta should not tolerate impunity or allow institutional violence to tarnish its inclusive reputation.
Vallarta Gay+ Community Center Condemns Police Behavior
Separately, the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center also released a statement Monday, strongly condemning any act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community and the general public.
The center expressed deep sadness regarding the incident involving Sherwood and stated they had reached out to offer their full support. They reported being in contact with Sherwood and were assured he does not require medical attention or legal assistance at this time.
The Vallarta Gay+ Community Center announced they are scheduling a meeting with nightlife venue owners to coordinate proactive safety measures for LGBTQ+ visitors and residents. They are also meeting with local police authorities to explore further actions and reinforce their collaboration.
“In response to this incident, we are scheduling a meeting with nightlife venue owners to coordinate proactive safety measures for LGBTQ+ visitors and residents. We are also meeting with local police authorities tomorrow to explore further actions and reinforce our collaboration,” the statement said.
As part of their ongoing commitment to safety, they are developing “Safe Zone,” a community-led initiative to outline protocols for reporting violence or discrimination and offer support in navigating the process with authorities.
Despite the incident, the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center stated that “Puerto Vallarta remains one of the safest tourist destinations in Mexico, consistently rated as such by numerous travel websites and international visitors. It is a city of inclusion, pride, and unity-and together, we will continue working to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming space for all.”
City Sexual Diversity Office Responds to Incident
[The following is a press release issued by the City of Puerto Vallarta regarding the incident]
The Puerto Vallarta Sexual Diversity Office, headed by Héctor Ramírez Betancourt, plays a fundamental role in defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This office has provided comprehensive support to those who come seeking assistance with legal, health, and other matters, demonstrating its commitment to the care and protection of this population.
Ramírez Betancourt emphasized that this office has handled cases such as that of Canadian Venus Sherwood, who recently reported an alleged assault by municipal police officers.
“Alfonso Dávalos, from the Gay Community Center, contacted us to inform us of this situation, and we made our services available to the individual, as our president, Luis Munguía, has instructed us to provide support to all victims of any assault by an officer. In this case, we are still waiting for a response to file the corresponding complaint,” he stated.
Ramírez Betancourt recalled that on March 13 of this year, a meeting was held with Public Security Commissioner Eduardo Horacio Llanas Cuevas and members of the LGBT community of Olas Altas, where it was agreed that, in the event of any police abuse, a corresponding report should be filed with Internal Affairs. This measure seeks to ensure that the government acts appropriately and responds responsibly to the needs of the community.
Therefore, he invited all victims of abuse to file a complaint to ensure justice is done and strengthen trust in institutions. The sexual diversity office headquarters is located in Lázaro Cárdenas Park, also known as Parque de Los Azulejos, and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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