Posted on 09/14/2010 12:18:59 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Mexican authorities have confirmed several shootouts through the streets of Matamoros, while U.S. authorities confirmed the temporary closing of two international bridges.
The shootouts took place late Monday night and early this morning for approximately two hours between the Mexican Military and various groups of armed gunmen from both the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, said a Mexican law enforcement official who asked that his name not be released citing security reasons.
The shootouts were reported in various areas as the gunmen fought and moved spraying the streets with gunfire and multiple grenades.
The areas where the shootouts took place include Fraccionamiento Rio, Colonia Del Carmen, Colonia Jardin, which is near the Gateway International Bridge, Calle Sexta, Lauro Villar, which is near the Los Tomates Bridge or Veterans Bridge.
As a result of an incident in Matamoros, Tamaulipas and at the request of the Mexican government, traffic was halted on both the Gateway and B&M international bridges for about 20 minutes as a precautionary measure, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Eddie Perez.
“As always, CBP's top priority is the safety of the traveling public and our officers,” Perez said. “CBP is in constant communication with our partners in Mexico and we continue to monitor any and all situations.”
Hours earlier, on Monday afternoon, a grenade attack was reported at the offices of the Mexican Attorney General's Office-- PGR in Matamoros which lies along Calle Sexta, just a few blocks from the Gateway International Bridge, the source said. No shots were fired during the grenade attack.
According to the source, a vehicle drove by the office and threw a grenade at it causing some damage to some SUVs that were parked outside. The SUVs had been seized in another case and were being held as evidence.
The PGR office in Matamoros has become a regular target for members of organized crime. At least four separate grenade attacks took place in the past two months.
I too live in Mexico, neighbors came today, saying they saw injured police officers, male and female, none life threatening, but it was a shoot out. Funny, when I search the news, nothing is reported. Most of my friends here in this country think that much of the violence is not reported.
NO border news like this gets out of the border area.
Another broad daylight scrap between the narco gangs and the Mexican military.
How this is not daily headline news is beyond me!
rovenstinez,
Can I ask you if the Mexican Army is to be feared or as I suspect the narcos have the upper hand there?
Since you live there you have a better idea of what is happening.
Thanks
In what part of Mexico do you live?
My Dad and step mom have a friend who lives in Reynosa. (across the river from McAllen) She says there are bodies in the streets and gun battles almost daily.
There was also a huge warehouse complex that was raided by the Federales loaded with weapons and vehicles of all sorts.
Gaza on the Rio
Most of the people in Mexico are VERY concerned. It´s exceptionally sensitive. First hand experience, a lady who runs a Beauty Salon, received protection for giving information to the ´thugs´, about when her clients make deposits, names of kids, cell phone numbers. Something said very casually may be repeated to someone else and someone has information and is kidnapped. Friends who have been kidnapped say that the Mexican Kidnapping Squad are very professional, and their very LIVES are at risk. I´m one of the very few optimistic people that think that this has about run it´s course, and Mexican People Citizenry are going to all start defending themselves. There are a lot of great people in law enforcement, in court systems... and there are a few that are scum, informants... God help us.
Good luck and GOD bless.
Are you allowed to have weapons there? Gun to protect your family?
I have wanted to go as a tourista but NO way, not now.
Sort of like maybe 20 years ago you maybe wanted to go to Columbia but thought Ahhh, maybe not.
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