Feb 19, 2024,11:49am EST
Mexican Security Forces Fatally Shoot 12 Near Texas Border Town
Authorities reported that twelve individuals were shot and killed by security forces in Miguel Alemán, a Mexican border town, on Sunday night. The incident, occurring less than 2 miles from Roma, Texas, underscores the persistent challenge of cartel violence in the region.
Key Facts:
- Tamaulipas’s security department revealed late Sunday that Mexican troops were engaged in a shootout with armed civilians around 2 p.m. local time. The exchange resulted in the deaths of 12 gunmen.
- According to government sources cited by AFP, the attackers were purported members of a drug cartel. The operation reportedly involved the use of military drones and a helicopter.
- After the confrontation, authorities seized a cache of firearms, including rifles, cartridges, and magazines of various calibers.
- Mexican officials did not provide details on whether any troops were injured or killed during the encounter, according to Reuters.
Key Background:
- Tamaulipas, particularly Miguel Alemán, has been severely affected by organized crime and violence. In September, a shootout between rival drug cartels in Miguel Alemán resulted in several Americans being caught in the crossfire, with seven individuals injured.
- The region has witnessed other instances of violence, including kidnappings and the discovery of mass graves, underscoring the pervasive influence of drug cartels in the area.
- In 2022, Texas governor Greg Abbott and Tamaulipas authorities signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster border security measures between the two states.
Big Number:
- A 2023 study estimated that Mexico’s 150 cartels employ around 175,000 people, making them the country’s fifth-largest employer—an increase from 115,000 a decade ago.