Border Patrol agents in the United States exchanged gunfire with suspected members of a Mexican drug cartel near the US-Mexico border in Texas, an incident occurring just a week after President Donald Trump intensified border security measures.
The confrontation occurred near Fronton, Texas, at approximately 14:00 local time on Monday. A group of migrants attempting to cross the Rio Grande was involved in the shooting incident, though none succeeded in reaching US soil. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the Border Patrol agents or the cartel members.
“Agents saw four subjects with automatic weapons who shot over 50 rounds at them,” CBP.
This event follows President Trump’s recent classification of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, indicating a significant shift in policy towards these groups.
The shootout’s location has been informally dubbed ”Cartel Island” due to its notorious history with criminal activities. In a previous interview, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham outlined how the island was officially declared part of Texas territory to allow for law enforcement patrols.
”The land hadn’t been accurately declared as it formed in the river,” Buckingham explained, justifying the state’s claim.
In related news, the Department of Homeland Security data shows a notable decline in migrant encounters since Trump’s administration took office. Encounters dropped by 35% in the initial days of his administration compared to the last days under President Biden, with specific figures showing a reduction from an average of 1,306 daily encounters to 841.
President Trump has emphasized the importance of stringent immigration enforcement, stating in a recent executive order:
”The American people deserve a Federal Government that puts their interests first and understands its obligation to prioritize their safety and security.”
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions at the US-Mexico border as the new administration seeks to enforce stricter immigration and security policies.
West of Mexico City, nearly 20 victims of cartel-related violence were found in several locations around Uruapan, Mexico, The Guardian reported in 2019. The violence has, over the years, become normalized.
Cartels have Swedish rocket launchers
Media in Mexico reported in 2023 that Swedish AT4 rocket launchers manufactured by Swedish Saab Bofors Dynamics have fallen into the hands of the dreaded Cártel del Golfo ( CDG) drug cartel.
Mexican channel Infobae reports that the notorious Gulf Cartel hitmen armed with AK47s and the Swedish rocket launcher were filmed at a roadblock in Matamoros in broad daylight.
Rocket-propelled grenades have not yet been used against US border patrols, but US authorities have documented cartels fighting each other with hand grenades near the US border.
The armed man in the image is said to be under the command of Grupo Escorpión and ”La Kena ” of the Gulf Cartel (CDG) near Matamoros in the state of Tamaulipas. Infobae reports that the weapons will be used in confrontations with criminal cells and the armed forces. Matamoros is a border town in Texas, USA.
On 16 March 2022, the White House announced that the United States provided Ukraine with 6000 AT4 armor-piercing rocket launchers. US Army infantry forces primarily use the AT4 to attack armoured vehicles.
The US channel Redacted speculates that rocket launchers destined for Ukraine have ended up on the illegal arms market, where they have been sold to Mexico’s drug cartels.
Sources
- Fox News: Mexican cartels fire at Border Patrol agents as Trump ramps up enforcement
- The Guardian: Mexico cartel hangs bodies from city bridge in grisly show of force
- Newsweek: US Border Patrol Agents Exchange Gunfire With Mexico Drug Cartel: Reports
- NewsVoice: Svenska raketgevär hamnade i händerna på mexikansk drogkartell