Mexican Troops Clash With Suspected Cartel Members

(RepublicanPress.org) – The Bureau of Consular Affairs with the US Department of State has a Do Not Travel advisory for Tamaulipas state due to the high chance of crime and kidnapping. The warning lists organized criminal activity, in particular, including gun battles, murder, carjacking, armed robbery, and sexual assault. A recent incident highlighted such dangers.

On February 18, a Tamaulipas Security spokesperson stated on social media that there was an “attack by armed civilians” in Miguel Aleman. Twelve of the suspects were killed, and authorities seized 12 weapons, along with ammunition. According to CBS News, Mexican troops were patrolling the area when the suspects attacked them from “the bush.” The soldiers responded, and there was a shootout, which killed the assailants. The outlet reported that according to government sources, the suspects were allegedly members of a drug cartel.

It was reportedly confirmed to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the Mexican troops used drones and a helicopter in the fight to subdue the suspects. The attack happened in the early afternoon — in broad daylight. The source didn’t mention which drug cartel authorities believe the suspects were associated with.

A dozen alleged cartel members have been killed by Mexican soldiers near the U.S. border.
https://t.co/gMGqEKlDzb

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 19, 2024

The incident took place right over the US border in Texas, west of Rio Grande City in the southeastern part of the state. According to the Department of State travel advisory, heavily armed criminal groups patrol certain areas of the state from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo. Miguel Aleman sits right along the path between those two areas. The warning states that local law enforcement is limited there. It’s unclear if the Mexican military typically patrols the area because of that reason. There were no reports of injured or killed soldiers during the incident — only the suspects.

This wasn’t the first violent event recently reported in the area. In March 2023, four Americans were kidnapped in Tamaulipas, two of whom subsequently died. According to CBS News, Mexican records show over 420,000 murders and 110,000 disappearances, mostly due to gang activity, over the last 18 years.