- Escalating violence in Tamaulipas: A recent confrontation between armed groups in Tamaulipas has resulted in one death and increased concern for public safety. The US consulate has issued a travel alert for the area.
- Increased security measures: In response to the violence, federal and state security institutions have increased their presence in Tamaulipas through patrols and increased vigilance. The general population has been advised to stay indoors for their safety.
- Suspension of education: The Secretariat of Education in Tamaulipas has recommended all educational levels of the afternoon shift stay home and avoid traveling to schools. This decision was made to prioritize the safety of students and staff in light of the escalating violence.
The Mexican Secretary of Public Security of Tamaulipas reported two confrontations between armed groups, leaving one person dead so far. However, it detailed that “the accuracy of the casualties is still being corroborated.”
“Federal and State security institutions (SEDENA, SEMAR, NATIONAL GUARD, STATE GUARD, and the Federal and State Prosecutor’s Offices) have increased their presence employing patrols throughout the urban area its surroundings to protect the citizens,” said the SSP.
In addition, it recommended the general population “to stay at home so as not to expose their integrity, asking parents and teachers, if possible, to avoid sending their children to school. The Ministry of Education will coordinate so that there is no problem with their absences”.
Something different happened a few days ago in the vicinity and involved shootouts. The Mexican National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) initiated a complaint against the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) for the massacre of six young people in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The young men were driving a pickup truck and were allegedly shot by Sedena personnel, with five deaths and only one surviving. The CNDH has accused Sedena of violating human rights and is investigating. The victims’ relatives claim that the young people were innocent and that this was an abuse of authority. After the incident, residents of Nuevo Laredo clashed with Sedena personnel.
For its part, the Mexican Secretariat of Education of the state recommended that all educational levels stay home and avoid traveling to schools in the afternoon.
“In case they are in transit and close to their school destination, it is recommended to stay indoors following security protocols until the corresponding authority updates the status of the situation,” reads the statement.
In December 2022, another shooting occurred in Mexico at the US border in Nuevo Laredo.
Different images began circulating on social networks showing at least three vans on the street, all while heavily armed individuals were positioned on the avenue. The photographs also show several people lying on the asphalt, presumably after being subdued by subjects wearing tactical vests.
Some media reports indicate that five people have been killed, including the woman the State Security Secretariat reported. However, any authority has not confirmed this information.
The US issued a travel alert after the shooting in Matamoros
Although Mexican authorities have not issued a position on the events, the U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros did issue an alert to its citizens not to travel to Tamaulipas.
The U.S. Consulate reminded that the state is classified at level 4, which indicates that travel to the border state is not allowed as long as there is a warning from the State Department.
Look at the position of Matamoros on the border between Mexico and USA:
“The U.S. Consulate in Matamoros has received reports of police activity occurring in the vicinity of Calle Primavera and Lauro Villa regarding a shooting. Media reports indicate that one person has been killed,” the statement said.
It noted that U.S. government employees had been instructed to avoid the area until further notice while recommending caution in their surroundings to seek shelter and be aware of local authorities’ actions.
Violence in Tamaulipas
These shootings occurred just five days after the massacre in Nuevo Laredo, also in Tamaulipas, where elements of the National Defense Secretariat killed five young people traveling in a van after returning from a party.
At the time, the Sedena had indicated that it would begin investigations into the soldiers involved by the General Prosecutor’s Office of Military Justice. However, this week it was announced that military authorities have already prosecuted 4 of the soldiers involved in the events.
The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) have begun an investigation to determine responsibilities.
According to the Code of Military Justice, whoever commits the crime of disobedience, “whoever does not execute or respects an order from a superior, modifies it from his own authority or exceeds his authority in executing it,” could receive from one to two years in prison, depending on the seriousness of the offense.