Mexican Federal Police Officers assigned to guard the US Consulate in Matamoros (which is across the Rio Grande from Brownsville) were ambushed away from that building on Sunday, May 17, 2016. One officer was killed. One other was wounded.
The officers were reportedly lured to the ambush spot by a vehicle they were pursuing. The reason for the pursuit is a bit murky, though some Mexican media reports indicate the driver of that vehicle may have deliberately struck their truck, then fled to prompt them to initiate the chase.
Mexican authorities aren’t releasing much information about the ambush or the investigation. The Gulf Cartel (CDG) is widely understood to control most criminal activity in Matamoros, but has not claimed credit for the fatal ambush.
Matamoros Consul General Mary Virginia Hantsch issued a statement in Spanish stating that the US government was “deeply saddened” over the death of the officer who provided security to the consulate.
“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues,” she said.
The US State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for US residents to Tamaulipas (the state where Matamoros is located) due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
It has also issued the following restrictions to the consulate staff in Matamoros:
Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas in Matamoros, including the neighborhoods of Jardin and Rio, and the area of the city as defined by:
The Rio Grande River to the north
Avenida de Las Americas from the Brownsville and Matamoros Bridge south to Calle Hidalgo and west to Calle Diez
Diagonal Cuauhtemoc east to Avenida Canales continuing east to Calle Primera
Avenida Lauro Villar from Calle Primera east to Calle Republica de Cuba
Calle Republica de Cuba from Avenida Lauro Villar north to Avenida Tamaulipas
Other permitted areas in Matamoros include the shops and restaurants along any of these routes: Calle Sexta to the Holiday Inn, Plaza Fiesta, the Soriana Market at Calle Primera and Avenida Canales, the Soriana Market at Veteran’s Bridge via Avenida Lauro Villa or Avenida Division del Norte, and the HEB on Avenida Lauro Villar
An armored vehicle is required for all travel to and from the Matamoros Airport and all travel to Reynosa.
U.S. government employees have a curfew of midnight to 6am in Matamoros.
Are you concerned about the security of the US Consulate in Matamoros following the ambush of Mexican officers assigned to guard it?
Share your thoughts in the comments to this story!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Jack, I am extremely worried about the USA citizens who work in the Consulate. I'm adding them to my prayer list. Scary times indeed. Thank you Jack. Most of us would not hear these facts anywhere else.